LIBRARY OF CONGRESS, 



Shelf....!...: ~ 



,'Zfc 



UNITED STATES OE AMERICA. 




I go to prepare a place for you. I will come again, and receive you 
unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.— John xiv. 2, 3. 



THE 

Future Recognition 



OF OUR 



FRIENDS IN HEAVEN, 

BY /> 

PROF. HENRY ZIEGLER, D. D., 

TOGETHER WITH 

THE REQUISITES TO RECOGNITION 

BY 

REV. P.'ANSTADT, D. D, 

Also extracts from the writings of Harbaugh, 

Schmucker, Stork, Luther, Melanchton, 

Knapp, Calvin Tillotson, Doddridge, Bax 

ter, Melville, and others, together 

with extracts from the poets. 



11 cjo to prepare a place for ^ou. John itv. 2. 



YORK, PA.: 

P. ANSTADT & SONS, 

1895. 




Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1895, by 

P. ANSTADT & SONS, 
In the office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington. 



3*»b Library 
°f Congress 

Washingtov 



To all Christians that have Friends 

in Heaven, whom they hope to 

meet in that Happy Land, 

this little volume is 

affectionately 

Detocatefc* 



pretace* 

On a visit to the venerable Prof. 
Henry Ziegler, D. D., in Selins Grove, 
he showed me a number of manuscript 
books, which he had prepared for publi- 
cation. Among others he handed me 
the manuscript of " Recognition After 
Death," which forms the first part of 
this little volume. 

Recognition in heaven is a favorite 
subject ,. with him, as it is also with my- 
self, and thousands of Christians, whose 
friends have gone before them to that 
happy land. It was at first designed to 
publish .Dr. Ziegler's essay merely in 
pamphlet form, of about thirty- two pages. 
But as I read over the Dr's. scriptural 



VI. PREFACE. 

and logical argument, and became 
warmly interested in the subject, the 
idea expanded in my own mind to the 
extent of preparing and publishing this 
little book. 

Accordingly I added something of my 
own composition ; namely, " The Requi- 
sites to a Future Recognition." 

Then I found some very beautiful and 
interesting thoughts of other men in 
books, from which I gathered extracts. 
Among these I mention Drs. Harbaugh, 
Schmucker, Stork, Luther, Melanchton, 
Knapp, Calvin, Tillotson, Doddridge, 
Baxter, Melville and others. And finally 

extracts from the poets. 

This little work is not a sectarian, nor 

even in the strict sense of the word, a 

denominational book. The sentiments 

expressed and the hopes entertained in 



PREFACE. vii. 

it are shared by most Christians of all 

denominations; yea, in some form or 

other, also, by "all nations and kindreds, 

and peoples, and tongues," of all times 

and all lands. 

Says Dr. Harbaugh : " Recognition in 

heaven is not the belief of any one sin- 
gle sect, or of a class of sects, but it is 
the voice of the Church. Men of all 
creeds here express their belief in this 
doctrine. This gives it a lovely catholic 
feature. It is one of those truths which 
utters itself from the universal Christian 
mind and heart. It is as broad as human 
wants and woes. Like the hope of 
heaven itself, it springs up in every 
heart, which seeks that friendly and 
peaceful abode." 

I send it forth, therefore, with the 

hope and prayer, that it may prove a 



VU1. PREFACE. 

source of consolation to many bereaved 
ones, whose friends have indeed not been 
lost by passing through the valley of the 
shadow of death, but have only gone 
before, to welcome their loved ones to 
that happy home, where God shall wipe 
all tears from their eyes. 

P. ANSTADT, 
York, Pa., Aug. 1895. 



IRecoonition after S>eatb- 

The relationships and friendships, 
formed here on earth, are, in many 
instances, very intimate, strong, and 
endearing. These . attachments we 
come to realize in their fullest 
depth and tenderness only on the 
death of our cherished friends. 
Who of us has not experienced 
these undying attachments and this 
deep-seated sorrow on the death of 
our loved ones! and how naturally 
does there arise in the Christian 
heart the comforting thought and 
hope of a reunion, recognition, and 
communion in the eternal here- 
after. 



IO FUTURE RECOGNITION OF 

Is this hope a delusion? or, have 
we a solid ground on which to 
base it as an absolute certainty? — 

" In the land of light and glory, 
Shall we know each other there ?" 

We have no direct promise in 
the word of God of such a future 
recognition of our former friends 
and acquaintances on earth; We 
have, however, various satisfactory 
assurances of this almost univer- 
sally cherished hope. 



FRIENDS IN HEAVEN. IT 

PART I. 

The first proof and assurance is found irr 

our domestic and social 

affections. 

To suppose that our parental^ 
filial, and fraternal, and also, our 
social attachments generally, will 
be eradicated, or even essentially 
changed, after death, would lead to 
the conclusion that intelligent and 
rational beings can exist without 
an affectional and emotional nature; 
for, if the attachments just referred 
to are to be destroyed, the destruc- 
tion of our entire affectional and 
emotional nature would seem to be 
equally involved. This is incon- 



12 FUTURE RECOGNITION OF 

ceivable. On the contrary, the life 
be)ond the grave must be a per- 
petuation of the present, — we will 
carry with us our characters, our 
principles, our knowledge, our af- 
fections, and attachments, acquired 
and cherished here on earth. But 
to perpetuate in heaven, the at- 
tachments formed on earth, there 
must be a recognition of the per- 
sons towards whom such attach- 
ments have been formed, — that is; 
There must be a recognition of 
former friends and acquaintances. 
Unless, therefore, our nature is to 
be radically changed 

" We shall know each other there." 



FRIENDS IN HEAVEN. I^ 



PART II. 

The second proof is found in the almost 
universal hope among the gentile na- 
tions of antiquity, of a reunion 
and recognition of former 
friends, in SHEOL or 
HADES. 

This wide-spread hope can not 
be accounted for, rationally, except 
on the supposition that it was a 
tradition transmitted from a very 
ancient revelation on this subject; 
for, if reason alone could not de- 
velope and demonstrate the belief 
and hope of an immortal life, 
neither could it develope and dem- 



34 FUTURE RECOGNITION OF 

onstrate that of a future reunion 
and recognition — of the former, it 
is written, that " Christ has abol- 
ished death and brought life and 
immortality to light through the 
Gospel; " and equally true is it of 
the latter, that he has brought into 
the clearer light of certainly a 
future reunion and recognition. 

To the penitent thief on the 
cross, he said: "To-day shalt thou 
be with me in Paradise; " he as- 
sured his apcstles that he was go- 
ing to his Father's house of many 
mansions to prepare a place for 
them, and that he would come 
again and receive them to himself 
that they might be with him where 



FRIENDS IN HKAVEN. 15 

he was; and of the rich man in 
hell (hades) he declares, that he 
saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus 
in his bosom. 



16 future: recognition of 

PART III. 
The third proof of this doctrine is the 
belief of it during the entire history 
of God's people as recorded In the 
Old and New Testaments, 
from the time of Abra- 
ham down to 
Christ 

In Gen. xv. 15, the promise was 
given to Abraham that he " should 
go to his Fathers in peace; " and 
it was subsequently said of 
him, and also, of Ishmael, Isaac, 
Jacob, Aaron and Moses, that at 
their death, " they were gathered 
to their -people" Gen. xxv. 8, 17; 
xxxv. 29; xlix. 29, 33; Deut. xxxii. 
49, 50. % This phraseology can not 



FRIENDS IN HKAVKN. 1 7 

mean that these patriarchs were 
buried in the sepulchers of their 
fathers; for Abraham was buried 
in Canaan, far from the home of 
his ancestors, w T hich was first in 
Urr, and alterwards in Haran, in 
Mesopotamia; and Aaron and 
Moses, found their resting places in 
Mount Hor and Mount Nebo. The 
only conclusion is, that the souls 
of these patriarchs not only sur- 
vived .the death of their bodies, but 
also, that they were gathered to 
the spirits of their fathers into 
some place different from their 
family sepulchers; besides, the 
phraseology — " gathered to thy peo-^ 
pie," — and the hopes oi these men 



18 FUTURE RECOGNITION OF 

awakened by it, seem to point very 
strongly to a conscious reunion, 
recognition, and communion of for- 
mer friends. 

Again: In Gen. xxxvii. 34, 35, it 

is recorded of Jacob, that he, when 

grieving for his son Joseph, said: 

** c I will go down into the grave 

unto my son, mourning." 

Jacob, crediting the report of his 
other sons, believed that his be- 
loved Joseph had been devoured 
by wild beasts; thereiore his u go- 
ing to Him into the grave," could 
have no reference to a place of 
burial — it is intended to convey, 
beyond doubt, the same idea and 
belief of the former phraseology — 



FRIENDS IN HKAVEN. 19 

u being gathered to. thy people," — 
it embodies the belief and hope of 
a reunion, recognition, and com- 
munion, of souls in • the spirit- 
world 

And again, King David, mourn- 
ing for his deceased child, said, " 1 
shall go to him, but he shall not 
return to me," 2 Sam. xii. 22, 23. 
This going to his child, is said 
with such assurance and emphasis, 
that we are forced to refer it to a 
reunion of souls after death — the 
king believed that he would meet 
his child, and commune with him, 
in the other world. 

The same belief is expressed by 
the prophet Samuel when he was 



20 FUTURE RECOGNITION OF 

called back from the spirit-world 
at the request of King Saul, His 
address to the King was : " To- 
morrow shalt thou be with me." 
i Sam. xxviii. 19. 

Then again, Christ says : " Make 
unto yourselves friends of the 
mammon of unrighteousness, that 
when ye fail, they may receive you 
into everlasting habitations." Luke 
xvi. 9. This a receiving into ever- 
lasting habitations," those who be-' 
friended us on earth, must cer- 
tainly refer to some remembrance 
and acknowledgement of, and 
some kind of return for, such for- 
mer services — there must, there- 
fore, be some kind of reunion and 



FRIENDS IN HEAVEN. 21 

recognition of former friends, in 
the other world. 

Once more, St. Paul, i Thess. 
iv. 13-18, takes special pains to 
enlighten the church at Thessalon- 
ica on this subject, some of whose 
members were evidently sorrowing 
for their departed friends. 

He says : 

13 But I would not have you to 
be ignorant, brethren, concerning 
them which are asleep, that ye sor- 
row not, even as others which have 
no hope ; 

and then adds for their comfort : 

14 For if we believe that Jesus 
died and rose again, even so them 



22 FDTURE RECOGNITION OF 

also which sleep in Jesus will God 
bring with him. 

15 For this we say unto you by 
the word of the Lord, that we 
whidi are alive, and remain unto the 
coming of the Lord, shall not pre- 
vent them which are asleep. 

16 For the Lord himself shall 
descend irom heaven with a shout, 
with the voice of the archangel, and 
with the trump of God : and the 
dead in Christ shall rise first : 

17 Then we which are alive and 
remain, shall be caught up together 
with them in the clouds, to meet 
the Lord in the air: and so shall 
we ever be with the Lord. 

18 Wherefore comfort one an- 
other with these words. 



FRIENDS IN HEAVEN. 23 

Now, what comfort could it be 
to the bereaved brethren at Thes- 
salonica, or to us at present, to tell 
us that God would bring with 
Christ, at his second coming, our 
friends who sleep in Jesus, and 
that the dead in Christ shall rise 
first, and that afterwards, those 
who shall yet be alive, shall be 
taken up together with them in 
the clouds, to meet the Lord in 
the air, and that then we shall 
ever be with the. Lord — what 
comfort, I ask, could all this be to 
us, if departed friends, in that re- 
union, could neither know, nor 
commune with one another ? 
Without this, St. Paul's instruction 



24 FUTURE RECOGNITION OF 

and proffered comfort is nothing 
but a vain hope, a solemn farce! 
No, no! such a thought should not 
for one moment disturb our hope ! 
God's people will be reunited — ■ 
they will recognize each other, and 
hold communion together, in " My 
Father's house of many mansions " 



FRIENDS IN HEAVEN. 25 

PART IV. 

My fourth and last proof for this doctrine 
of future recognition and communion, 
is, that Christ spoke of it, not as 
something to be devoutly desired, 
yet only faintly hoped for, but as 
an acknowledged and estab- 
lished truth and undoubted 
reality, both in the para- 
ble of the rich man and 
Lazarus, and on the 
mount of trans- 
figuration. 

In the parable of the rich 
man, Lazarus and Abraham are 
associated together, and recog- 
nize and commune with one 
another ; and on the mount, Moses 



26 FUTURE RECOGNITION OF 

and Elijah appear in company, and 
they are recognized by Christ and 
his three apostles ; and so endear- 
ing was this communion that Peter 
said to Jesus: " Lord, it is good 
for us to be here : if thou wilt, let 
us make here three tabernacles — 
one for thee, and one for Moses, 
and one for Elias." Luke xvi. 19- 
31 ; Matt. xvii. 1-8. 

There is, however, another proof 
for this doctrine to be derived 
from the reappearance of Moses 
and Elijah on the mount of trans- 
figuration. They were utter 
strangers on earth, for the former 
lived at least five hundred and 



FRIENDS IN HEAVEN. 27 

fifty years before the latter, * and 
yet they had learned to know each 
other, and to hold communion to- 
gether. If those who were perfect 
strangers on earth, can thus recog- 
nize each o:her, and be thus asso- 
ciated together, in the spiritual 
world, how much more, those who 
were so long and so tenderly re- 
lated as parents, and children, and 
friends ? 

Thus, then, from the days of 
Abraham down through the whole 
period of revelation, the people of 
God believed in a future reunion, 



* Moses d. 145 1 b. c. 
Elijah d. 89.6 

555 



28 FUTURE RECOGNITION OF 

recognition, and communion of de- 
parted souls ; and Christ has 
brought this hope, equally with 
" life and immortality/' into the full 
light of absolute certainty. We do 
know that we shall kno n each 
other on the other shore 

" When the holy angels meet us, 

As we go to join their band; 
We shall know the friends that greet us 

In the glorious spirit land : 
We shall see the same eyes shining 

On us, as in the days of yore ; 
We shall feel the dear arms twining 

Fondly round us as before. ,, 



FRIENDS IN HEAVEN. 29 

proof Tlcxts. 

Rev. vii. i6, 17 ; xxi. 1-27. 

1 Peter i. 3, 4 ; 1 Cor. xv. 42-57. 

Rev. xxii. 1-5 ; 2 Peter 3-13. 

Rev. v. 11-14; vii. 9-15 ; xiv. 1-4. 

Isa. ix. 6, 7 ; Dan. vii. 27 ; Heb. 
i. 8, 9. 

Luke i. 30-33 ; John xiv. 1-3. 

Rev. v. 5-10 ; xi. 15. 

1 Thess. iw 13-18 ; 1 Cor. xiii. 
9-12. 

1 John iii 1, 2. 



3o 



FUTURE RECOGNITION OF 



Its Negative Fea- 
tures, or the 
things that will 
not be there. 

Indestructible. 

Undeniable. 

Unchangeable. 

No crying. 

No tears. 

No pain. 

No sorrow. 

No death. 

No burning sun. 

No cold nor heat. 

No night. 

No hunger. 

No thirst. 

No bad men. 

No curse. 

No sin. 



tteaven. 

Its Position, Features, or the 
things that will be there. 

The city of our God — the heav- 
enly Jerusalem. 

Beautiful waters. 

Delicious fruits. 

Sure healing for the nations. 

Populous with a happy people. 

Clothed with eautiful garments . 

Enchanting music. 

Devout w orship. 

A just Ruler. 

An eternal kingdom. 

The grandest capitol. 

Our Father's house with many 
mansions. 

We shall be kings and priests 
unto God, and shall reign 
forever and ever. 



FRIENDS IN HEAVEN. 3 1 



Deapen* 

O blessed land ! the land of rest — 
The land beyond the river : 
Where sickness, frailties, pain nor death, 
Nor tears shall ever enter — 
Where doubts and fears,and aching hearts ; 
Where hunger, thirst ; when cold and heat, 
Are known no more, no more are felt — 
In all thy ages, never. 

No change is there, no vileness foul, 
No devastation's ruin : 
No crushing want, no filthy soul, — 
No secret vengeance brewing — 
O blessed land ! in all thy round, 
No curse of sin shall e'er be found 
To mar thy peace, to hush thy song — 
In all thy ages, never. 



3 2 FUTURE RECOGNITION OF 

blessed land, thou land of peace — 
The land of heaven-born freedom : 
Where satan ne'er shall forge his chains, 
Nor sin foment its treason — 
What there will ransomed souls enjoy, 
(Where all these ills are know no more) 
Throughout thy realms, from year to year, 
Through all thy ages, ever ? 

A city grand, divinely built — 
Lit with Jehovah's brightness : 
Of jasper walls and pearly gates, 
And streets of golden pureness — 
Where crystal streams and vernal flowers, 
Where healing sure, for nations pure, 
And fiuits perennial, year by year, 
Are absent, never, never. 

A people there from every land, 
Unnumbered are their millions — 



FRIENDS IN HEAVEN. 33 

Who near the throne of Jesus stand, 
All clothed with blood-washed garments — 
Their incense pure ascends on high, 
Loud hallelujahs rend the sky, 
In strains more sweet than mortals greet — 
Forever and forever. 

A ruler just, of David's line, 

A kingdom universal — 

His crown He never will resign, 

His rule will be eternal — 

His great white throne we'll stand around, 

There kings and priests we shall be 

crowned, 
Our Lord's commands to hear — to bear 
To all the nations, ever. 

And yet it is our Father's home, 
His house of many mansions— 
Where we shall rest, yet ever roam 



34 FUTURE RECOGNITION OF 

O'er countless worlds, through space un- 
known — 
Dear parted friends, we there shall meet, 
Our loved ones gone we then shall greet, 
In union and communion sweet, 
Beyond the river, ever. 

Thou longed for land, thy joys untold, 
But taste, we here can, only : 
For now we see, through glasses, dark, 
We know through figure^, dimly: 
But when we see Him face to face, 
And He in us, His likeness trace, 
Then we shall all the glory share 
Of our Immanuel, ever. 



FRIENDS IN HEAVEN. 35 

Uhc IRegutsites for a future 
IRecognition* 

If any of us had decided to go 
to a distant country, an J to make 
it our home for life, we would 
naturally be very desirous to learn 
everything important, or interesting 
about that country. We would 
like to know how far it was away, 
and what was the best way to 
reach it ; we would also wish to 
learn the nature of the land, whether 
it was hilly or level, whether it 
was fertile or sterile ; what were 
its productions and minerals, what 
kind of a climate it had, hot or 
cold, healthy or malarious ; what 



36 FUTURE RECOGNITION 

kind of a government it had, 
monarchical or republican ; what 
kind of laws were in force, and 
what were necessary qualifications 
to become citizens, and especially 
would we like to know the char- 
acter of the inhabitants, whether 
they were civilized or savage, 
whether they were heathen, Ma- 
homedans, Jews or Christians; what 
languages they spoke, and whether 
we would be able to have inter- 
course or conversation with them, 
and lastly it would be very impor- 
tant lor us to learn, whether there 
were any of our relatives or 
friends already in that country, and 
whether we could mtet them, rec- 



OF FRIENDS IN HEAVEN. 37 

ognize them, and they recognize 
us, and whether we could have 
friendly intercourse with each other. 

This last question shall occupy 
our thoughts particularly at this 
time, and we shall endeavor to an- 
swer the question, 

What are the Requisites for a 
Future Recognition ? or, in other 
words, What conditions are abso- 
lutely necessary, in order that we 
may know each other, when we 
get to heaven ? In the first place 
it is implied in this question that 
we believe in 



38 FUTURE RECOGNITION 

I. The Immortality of the Soul. 

For, if the human soul is not 
immortal ; if death ends all, and 
there is no life beyond the grave, 
and our existence ends with our 
latest breath, then, of course, there 
can be no such thing as a future 
recognition. Oh, how dark, hope- 
less and gloomy would then be 
the shadow of death ! But that 
there is a future state after the 
death of the body, is a truth 
almost intuitive in the human 
mind. All people from the earliest 
times have believed in a future 
life; heathens, M^hamedans, 
Jews, and above all, Christians 



OF FRIENDS IN HEAVEN. 39 

believe in the immortality of the 
soul. No truth is taught more 
emphatically in the Bible, both of 
the Old and New Testament, than 
an eternal, conscious existence, 
either of happiness or woe ; the 
righteous shall enter into eternal 
happiness, and the wicked into 
everlasting punishment " God so 
loved the world, that he gave his 
only Son, that whosoever believeth 
on him should not perish, but have 
everlasting life." Jesus said to his 
disciples in the night before his 
crucifixion and death, " In my 
Father's house are many mansions, 
I go to prepare a place for you, 
and I will come again and receive 



40 FUTURE RECOGNITION 

you to myself, so that where I 
am, ye shall be also." Very many 
texts might be quoted like these, 
from the holy Scriptures, which 
teach in the plainest and most 
emphatic words a future state of 
existence. It is not necessary to 
undertake to prove this, either 
from reason or Scripture, we all 
take it for granted We therefore 
remark in the second place that in 
order to a future recognition we 
must have 



OF FRIENDS IN HEAVEN. 4 1 

II. Known Each Other on Earth. 

We shall, indeed, meet with 
many Christians, whom we never 
met or knew on earth, and with 
whom we may then become ac- 
quainted, but that w 7 ill not be rec- 
ognition, for recognition implies 
that we meet with a person after 
a lapse of time, whom we knew 
before, and feel certain, that it is 
the same person with whom we 
were previously acquainted. Where 
a previous acquaintance has not 
existed between two or more par- 
ties, there may be new acquaint- 
ances and attachments formed, but 
that can not be recognition in the 



42 FUTURE RECOGNITION 

true sense of the word Hence, 
there must have been previous ac- 
quaintance, before there can be a 
future recognition 

Some one has said, " Before we 
think and talk so much about a 
recognition in heaven, there ought 
to be more recognition among the 
members of the church on earth. " 
It is true, there are many mem- 
bers, often of the same congrega- 
tion, who have never become 
acquainted with each other. This 
is especially the case in very large 
congregations in the cities. There 
is often verv little intercourse or 
acquaintance between the rich and 
the poor, the learned and the un- 



OF FRIENDS IN HEAVEN. 43 

learned, those in high stations and 
those in the humbler walks of life ; 
now, when these different classes 
meet in the mansions of our Fath- 
er's house, they will, indeed, not 
recognize each other, but they will 
become acquainted and form new 
friendships. 

Another requisite to a future 
recognition is, that 
III. We Shall be Brought Together 
into the Same Place. 

Dr. Chalmers says in one of his 
published sermons, that heaven is 
not a place, but a condition, into 
which we enter aiter death. Now, 
it is true, that without a renewal of 
heart and lite, sanctified by the 



44 FUTURE RECOGNITION 

Holy Ghost, heaven could not be 
a state of happiness to any one, 
even in the most exalted posi- 
tion j yet we instinctively regard 
heaven as a locality, a place in 
God's universe, where he more 
particularly displays his glorious 
attributes to his intelligent crea- 
tures. And the Scriptures speak 
of heaven as a place ; some of the 
descriptions of heaven may be fig- 
urative or symbolical, yet the idea of 
locality is always associated with 
the very word heaven. Such are 
the descriptions of the New Jeru- 
salem, with its foundations of pre- 
cious stones, its walls of jasper, its 
gates of pearl, and its streets of 



OF FRIENDS IN HKAVF.N. 45 

shining gold ; also its river of life, 
flowing from the throne of God, 
the trees of life growing on its 
banks, and the redeemed walking 
in the street among these trees, 
indicate the idea that heaven is a 
locality. Paul speaks of his desire 
to go away and be with Christ ; 
now Christ is indeed with his peo- 
ple on earth in an invisible man- 
ner, even to the end of the world, 
but Paul wishes to be with Christ 
where he can see him face to face 
and be like him. Then, also, the 
Savior himself expressly calls 
heaven a place in the mansions of 
his Father's house. But where 
this place is, in the immensity of 



46 FUTURE RECOGNITION 

God's universe, we can only con- 
jecture. For instance, the earth 
revolves around its own axis, once 
in twenty-four hours, forming the 
day and the night ; the moon re- 
volves around the earth once in 
four weeks, the earth with the 
moon revolves around the sun 
once a year, forming the different 
seasons .; then all the planets in 
our planetary system revolve 
around our sun, as their and our 
common cen:re, at various dis- 
tances and in different periods of 
time Then we are taught by the 
astronomers, that the fixed stars 
are also suns, that have planets 
with their satelites revolving around 



OF FRIENDS IN HEANFJST. 47 

them. But they profess also to 
have discovered, that our sun with 
its planetary system, and all the 
vast host of suns with their plane- 
tary systems revolve around one 
common centre, which is therefore 
the centre of the universe ; and we 
conclude, where the centre of the 
universe is, there is the eternal 
throne of God, and where God's 
throne is, there is heaven. It is 
an awfully sublime and overwhelm- 
ing thought, that God is seated 
upon his immovable throne in the 
centre of the universe, with all the 
works of his hands revolving 
around him in harmonious and 
glorious motion, called by the an- 



48 FUTURE RECOGNITION 

cients the music of the spheres, 

Forever singing as they shine, 
The hand that made us is divine. 
Now, in order that there may 
be a future recognition ot the 
saints in heaven, they must not be 
scattered at inconceivable distances 
from each other in the immensity 
of the universe, but must be 
brought into such close proximity 
that they may have easy inter- 
course with each other. Spirits 
may, indeed, have means of inter- 
course with each other at greater 
distances from each other than we 
now have, while we are tabernac- 
ling in the flesh, but even spirits 
are not omni-present, for that is 



OF FRIENDS IN HEANEN. 49 

an attribute of the infinite God, 
which finite beings do not possess 
Therefore, if there is to be a fu- 
ture recognition, there must J be a 
common centre, where we cag. 
meet and commune with each 
other. We may not always re- 
main in one place, but as we shall 
be like unto the angels, God may 
employ us as he does the angels^ 
who are his ministering spirits, and 
be sent by him, as the angels are, 
to execute his will and purpose in 
various and distant parts of his 
universe. But we can not perma- 
nently or constantly be separated, 
if there is to be a recognition in 
heaven. i\nother indispensable re- 



50 FUTURE RECOGNITION 

quisite to a future recognition is, 
that 

IV. Our Memory Shall be so Preserved 

and Strengthened, that We Shall 

Remember the Occurrences 

of Our Life on Earth. 

If, when we enter into the spirit 
world, all that we once knew, of 
events and persons in this world, 
should be blotted out from our 
memory, then we w r ould not know 
our friends when we meet them in 
heaven ; we might become ac- 
quainted with them again, but that 
would be no recognition, it would 
be merely forming new friendships; 
if we had no recollection of each 
other, we could meet only as 



OF FRIENDS IN HEAVEN. 5 1 

strangers, ready to form new 
friendship^ with kindred spirits in 
heaven. 

But in order that there may be 
a recognition ot our friends in 
heaven, we must retain the full 
powers of our memory unimpaired 
We must be able confidently to 
say, This is my father, this is my 
mother, this is my brother, this is 
my sister, this is my child, this 
man was my pastor, this was my 
teacher in the Sunday-school, this 
one was my neighbor, and this 
was my classmate in school, col- 
lege, or seminary. Unless we can 
thus remember and designate each 
other, there can be no real recog- 



52 FUTURE RECOGNITION 

nition in heaven. But that our 
memories shall be thus preserved 
and even strengthened after death, 
is evident, from many passages of 
Scripture. Said Abraham to the 
rich man in hell. Son, remember, 
that thou hadst thy good things, 
while Lazarus had evil things. 

Yea, there is reason to believe 
that the memory will be strength- 
ened in an extraordinary degree 
after the spirit is separated from 
the body. Instances are related of 
persons who believed themselves 
in imminent danger of death, who 
had the history of their whole lives 
instantly brought to their minds, 
even to the very minutest particu- 



OF FRIENDS IN HEAVEN. 53 

lars. Persons who believed them- 
selves in the act of drowning, and 
were rescued just as they had 
given up all hope of life, and were 
sinking down for the last time 
under the water, had the history 
of their whole lives minutely 
brought before their minds. 

I read of an instance, where a 
lion that had escaped from his 
cage in a menagerie, suddenly 
crouched before a man standing 
in front of his house, ready to 
spring upon him : the man stood 
paralyzed, not daring to move 
hand or foot, expecting every mo- 
ment the lion would spring upon 
him and tear him to pieces. In 



54 FUTURE RECOGNITION 

that moment his whole life stood 
as in a picture before him. But 
in that instant, fortunately, a large 
dog sprang out and bit the lion, 
and was instantly killed by him, 
and thus his own life was saved. 
Such a strengthening of the mem- 
ory is thought to be necessary, in 
order to vindicate the justice of 
God in the condemnation of the 
sinner, when the books shall be 
opened and every man shall be 
judged according to his deeds 
done in the body. For, if the sin- 
ner could not be made mindful of 
the sins which he had committed, 
he would think his punishment 
was greater than he deserved. 



OF FRIENDS IN HEAVEN. 55 

One of the most beautiful 
thoughts and blessed hopes, is that 
of the reunion of a Christian fam- 
ily in heaven ; there should not 
and there need not be a separation 
of a Christian family in the world 
to come. Here on earth they 
lived together in peace, and love, 
and hope; they shared each 
other's joys and sorrows ; they ate 
at the same table ; they slept 
under the same roof; they were 
buried side by side in the grave- 
yard, on a lot not as large as the 
house in which they dwelt ; on the 
morning of the resurrection they 
rise up together to meet their 
Savior coming in the clouds of 



56 Ft,fURK RECOGNITION 

heaven ; before the judgment 
throne they all stand on the right 
hand, not one lost or missing, nor 
father nor mother, nor brother nor 
sister ; but all hear that joyful 
sentence, Come ye blessed of my 
Father, enter ye into the kingdom 
prepared for you before the foun- 
dation of the world. Methinks I 
see the children rising up to bless 
their parents as instruments in 
leading them to Christ and salva- 
tion. Methinks I hear them say, 
We remember our home in yon- 
der world, consecrated by your 
piety and your prayers, as the 
house of God and the gate of 
heaven. There we knelt with you 



OF FRIENDS IN HEAVEN. 57 

at the family altar in prayer, we 
walked with you to the house of 
God, and heard the Gospel 
preached, and went with you to 
the communion table of our Lord. 
Your Christian example, your fer- 
vent prayers, ) T our faithful instruc- 
tion, your parental admonitions, 
brought down upon us the bless- 
ing of our God, and now we stand 
in thes : white robes of Christ's 
righteousness on these heights of 
Zion to bless you, our father, you, 
our mother, as the instruments in 
the hand of God of our salvation. 
No pen can describe, no tongue 
can express, no heart can con- 
ceive the happiness of such a fam- 



58 FUTURE RECOGNITION 

ily. Dear reader, would you make 
this blessedness your own ? Then 
begin, if you have not already be- 
gun, the use of every means of 
grace, and the performance of 
every duty, that by the grace of 
God may bring about the union of 
your whole family in. heaven. 

Another truth that shall help to 
make the future recognition of our 
friends a source of unspeakable 
happiness is the fact that 
V. There Will be no More Separations. 

The union with our friends in 
glory will be eternal Separations 
on earth are often painful. When 
families are temporarily separated; 
when a son goes into business for 



OF FRIENDS IN HEAVEN. 59 

himself, or a daughter gets mar- 
ried and moves to a distant place, 
the separation often causes sorrow; 
but we are consoled by the 
hope, that we may meet sooner or 
later again ; occasionally they will 
revisit the parental homestead; 
sometimes we have a family re- 
union. So also when a member of 
the family is taken away by death, 
the survivors go forth and weep 
together, but they are consoled by 
the hope, that the loved ones are 
not lost, but only gone before. 
The idea^that the separation must 
be eternal, would be overwhelm- 
ingly^ dreadful indeed. Thus also, 
it would disturb our happiness in 



60 FUTURE RECOGNITION 

heaven, we should think, if there 
should be an eternal separation 
from our friends in glory. Tem- 
porary separations there may be, 
even in heaven, when God shall 
commission us or any of our saint- 
ed friends to go on some errand 
in a distant part of the universe, 
like the angels who are his minis- 
tering spirits. But the separation 
will be only temporary, and the 
reunion after a temporary separa- 
tion will cause rather an in- 
crease of our joy. 

When weVe been there ten thousand 
years, 

Bright shining as the sun, 
WeVe no less days to sing God's praise 

Than when we first begun. 



OF FRIENDS IN HEAVEN. 6l 

Another requisite to make our 
recognition a source of enjoyment 
is, that 

VI. We Shall be Enabled to Converse 
With Each Other. 

Much of our enjoyment in this 
world is found in the company of 
our friends, and the interchange of 
communications with each other. 
If we could not converse and com- 
municate our thoughts, views and 
feelings with each other, heaven 
would be a very dull place. 

From numerous passages of 
Scripture we learn that saints and 
angels have the power of speech, 
and can communicate their thoughts 
to each other ; The angel Gabriel 



62 FUTURE RECOGNITION 

announced to the Virgin Mary, 
that she should become the mother 
of Jesus ; the angel said to the 
shepherds on Bethlehem's plains, 
Behold I bring you good tidings 
of great joy; for unto you is born 
in Bethlehem Christ the Lord. 
The angel said to the women, who 
came early to the sepulchre, Ye 
seek Jesus, — he is not here — he is 
risen from the dead — go tell his 
disciples, etc. So also Moses and 
Elijah came down from heaven and 
talked with Jesus on the Mount of 
Transfiguration, and Peter and the 
other apostles heard and under- 
stood what they talked about. 
The question may be rafsed, 



OF FRIENDS IN HEAVEN. 63 

Shall there be a universal language 
in heaven, which we shall learn, 
when we get there ? or shall we 
each speak the particular language 
which was our mother tongue on 
earth ? or will we be able to com- 
municate our thoughts and feelings 
reciprocally to each other without 
articulate sounds and words ? We 
do not know just now how we 
shall converse with each other in 
heaven, but we shall know when 
we get there. Our words now, 
are uttered by our bodily organs 
of speech, but by what means dis- 
embodied spirits converse, is one of 
those things which we do not yet 
understand, or need to understand. 



64 FUTURE RECOGNITION 

It is possible, that in heaven we 
shall have the gift of tongues, by 
which we can speak and un- 
derstand all languages. This gift 
was bestowed on the disciples by 
the out-pourirtg of the Holy Spirit 
on the day of Pentecost : 

"And they were all amazed and 
marvelled, saying one, to another, 
Behold, are not all these which 
speak Galileans ? And how hear 
we every man in his own tongue, 
wherein we were born ? Parthians, 
and Medes, and Elamites, and the 
dwellers in Mesopatamia, and in 
Judea, and Capadocia, in Pontus, 
and Asia, in Phrygia, Pamphilia, in 
Egypt, and in the parts of Lybia 



OF FRIENDS IN HEAVKN. 65 

about Cyrene, and strangers of 
Rome, Jews and proselites, Cretes 
and Arabians, we do hear them 
speak in our tongues the wondrous 
works of God." Acts ii. 7— i'-i. 

VII. We Shall also Form New 
Acquaintances in Heaven. 

Besides the recognition of friends 
whom we knew and loved on 
earth, we will also form new ac- 
quaintances in heaven. Heaven is 
inhabited by the holy angels — an 
innumerable host, who were crej* 
ated before the world was made, 
and who lost not their estate like 
the fallen angels. They are blessed, 
happy and immortal beings, whom 
God employs as his ministering 



66 FUTURE RECOGNITION 

spirits. Some of them are named 
in the Bible. The arch-angel, 
Michael, is one of them, who cast 
Satan into the bottomless pit and 
bound him in adamantine chains ; 
and the arch-angel, Gabriel, who 
announced to the Virgin Mary that 
she should become the mother of 
the promised Messiah. They are 
distinguished into principalities and 
powers, into Cherubim and Sera- 
phim. We shall become person- 
ally acquainted with them and 
converse with them. They can 
relate to us the story of the creation 
of the heavens and the earth, 
when the morning stars sang 



OF FRIENDS IN HEAVEN. 67 

together and all the sons of God 
shouted for joy. 

And there we shall also meet 
the patriarchs, prophets, apostles, 
martyrs and reformers There I 
expect to meet Adam and Eve, 
and they can give us a description 
of Paradise, before the ground was 
cursed by the fall ; there I expect 
to meet Noah and converse with 
him, and the rippling of the flood 
is still fresh in his memory ; there 
I expect to meet Abraham, that 
man of mighty faith, and Joseph, 
and Moses, and Joshua, and Sam- 
uel, and David, Isaiah, Jeremiah, 
Daniel ; and then the worthies ol 
the New Testament, Peter, and 



68 FUTURE RECOGNITION 

James, and John, and Matthew, and 
Andrew, and Stephen, the first 
martyr, Paul, and Barnabas, and 
Timothy, and the martyrs and re- 
formers. Time would fail me to 
enumerate by name a thousandth 
part of them. These are the 
nobles of whom the world was 
not worthy. What will be our 
wonder, surprise and joy when we 
shall meet those whose names we 
often read in the Bible, and whose 
character and noble deeds we so 
often admired. But there will also 
be a countless host of the re- 
deemed whose names we never 
heard on earth, the humble poor, 
whose deeds have . never been 



OF FRIENDS IN HEAVEN. 69 

written on the scroll of human 
fame, but who had a record in 
heaven and were enrolled in the 
book of life. We shall meet them 
and converse with them also, and 
hear the story of their conversion 
and salvation through the blood of 
the Lamb. Yes, we shall there be 
permitted to associate with that 
great multitude, which no man 
can number, of all nations, and 
kindreds, and peoples, and tongues, 
who stand before the throne and 
before the Lamb, clothed with 
white robes, having palms in their 
hands, who have come up out of 
great tribulations, and washed their 
robes and made them white in the 



70 FUTURE RECOGNITION 

blood of the Lamb. "And God 
shall wipe away all tears from 
their eyes." 

A quaint writer has said, When 
I get to heaven I think three 
things will particularly suprise me. 
The first surprise will be, that I 
shall meet some in heaven whom 
I did not expect to meet there. 
These are some who were in the 
humble walks of life, or some of 
the poor and obscure Christians, 
who never made much demonstra- 
tion of their religion, I passed them 
in the street, but never had any 
thought or made any inquiry about 
their hope of heaven, but lo, when 
I come there myself I recognize 



OF FRIENDS IN HEAVBN. 7 1 

them, to my great surprise, among 
the white robed throng before the 
throne. 

The second surprise will be, that 
some whom I expected to meet 
there will not be found in those 
blissiul abodes. They were mem- 
bers of the church, they went 
with me to the communion table 
and made loud profession of relig- 
ion, and of course, I expected to 
meet them in heaven. And I look 
for them on the golden streets of 
the New Jerusalem, but see them 
not there, I search for them on 
the banks of the river of life, but 
find them not among the trees 
of life, 1 inquire among the in- 



72 FUTURE RECOGNITION 

numerable company that stand in 
white before the throne, but they 
are not among that happy throng. 
I expected to meet them in 
heaven, but, alas, to my great sur- 
prise they are not there. They 
must have been either hypocrites, 
or mere formalists, who , had, in- 
deed, the form of godliness, but 
lacked its power. 

The third thing, and greatest sur- 
prise of all will be, that I shall find 
myself in heaven. Alter all my 
sins and sorrows, my temptations, 
toils, pains, disappointments, sick- 
ness and death, to find myself in 
heaven at last ! saved through the 
blood of the Lamb ! 



OF FRIENDS IN HEAVEN. 73 

O, that will be joyful, joyful, joyful ! 
When we shall meet, at Jesus' feet, 
Shall meet to part no more. 

But there is One above all 
others, whom we shall meet in 
heaven with exceeding great joy ; 
namely, our blessed Lord and Sav- 
ior, Jesus Christ. It would be no 
heaven without Christ. But there 
we shall see Jesus face to face and 
be like him. No pen can describe, 
no tongue can express, no heart 
can concieve the exceeding great 
joy of the saved soul, at the first 
sight of the Lord Jesus in his 
glory. 

Some one was asked, how he 
expected to be occupied during 



74 FUTURE RECOGNITION 

the eternal ages in heaven ? He 
replied, I hope to spend the first 
ten thousand years in beholding 
the face of Jesus, my Savior ; after 
that I expect to have time enough 
to explore the universe and be- 
come acquainted with saints and 
angels. 

VIII. The Guardian Angels. 
The Savior once said in regard 
to little children, " Their angels do 
always behold the face of their 
Father in heaven." From this the 
beautiful idea of guardian angels is 
taken. And some bereaved Chris- 
tians have cherished the belief that 
their own loved ones may have 
been appointed guardian angels 



OF FRIENDS IN HKAVBN. 75 

over themselves. However that 
may be, the Scripture says, " He 
giveth his angels charge over thee T 
to keep thee in all thy ways. 
They shall bear thee up in their 
hands, lest thou dash thy foot 
against a stone." Ps. xci. n, 12. 

It is certain that the angels are 
round about us, and if we had the 
faculty to discern spirits, we might 
even see them 3 and as the re- 
deemed in heaven are like unto 
the angels, it is not impossible for 
them to be near us, whenever they 
choose so to be. Some one might 
therefore ask, Would it not be 
pleasant and desirable, that we 
should have, at least, occasional 



76 FUTURK RECOGNITION 

intercourse with our departed 
friends, who might come to us 
from their glorious habitations, and 
revisit us on earth ? And would 
it not be a blessed and happy 
privilege, if once in a while a win- 
dow in heaven were opened to us, 
and we could see our friends there 
in glory ? Yes, that might afford 
us a temporary happiness, but it 
would soon be followed by discon- 
tent with our lot on earth, and 
unfit us for the duties of this life. 
St. Paul says, he was once trans- 
lated to the third heaven and saw 
things there, and heard things 
there, which it is unlawful, or 
rather impossible in our language 



OF FRIENDS IN HEAVEN 77 

to describe. He does labor to 
find words to describe the happi- 
ness of heaven, when he says, 
" Eye hath not seen, nor ear 
heard, neither have entered into 
the heart of man the things which 
God hath prepared for them that 
love him," i Cor. ii. 9. After that 
his longing heart wanted to go 
away and be with Christ, and re- 
ceive from his hand the crown of 
glory laid up for him. The only 
reason why he was willing any 
longer to stay on earth, was that 
he might be instrumental in bring- 
ing others to the faith of Christ 
and the salvation of heaven. 
Therefore, a sight of heaven, and 



78 FUTURE RECOGNITION 

our friends there in glory would 
most likely unfit us for the duties 
of life and absorb all our thoughts 
and desires to go away and join 
our loved ones in the mansions of 
our Father's house. 

Years ago I read an incident, 
illustrative of this subject, which I 
will relate as near as I can from 
memory : A ship was sent off from 
a certain port to sail around the 
world. The voyage lasted three 
years. When the ship returned, 
and the land of their nativity be- 
came visible, the sailors became 
very much excited Some of them 
climbed up the masts to have a 
better view of the land ; as they 



OF FRIENDS IN HKANKN. 79 

drew nearer and c )uld distinguish 
objects, some pointed to the church 
steeples, where they had wor- 
shipped in their childhood ; some 
could point out the houses, where 
their parents, brothers and sisters 
lived ; as they drew nearer to port 
the excitement increased ; some of 
the sailors went to their chests, 
got their best clothes and put them 
on ; some laughed and some wept 
for joy. But at last, when the 
ship came in to port, and they saw 
and recognized their friends stand- 
ing on the wharf, waving welcome 
to them and calling them by name, 
the crew could no longer be re- 
strained or controlled. They has- 



80 FUTURE RECOGNITION 

tened to the shore by every 
possible means, to embrace their 
fathers, mothers, wives, brothers 
and sisters, and another set of men 
had to be secured to bring the 
vessel to her mooring. 

Now, what would be the effect 
upon us, if heaven were opened 
to our view, and we could see the 
New Jerusalem with its gates of 
pearl and golden streets ; behold the 
saints standing in white before the 
throne and hear them sing the 
New Song of Moses and the 
Lamb ; yea, if we could see and 
recognize our loved ones in the 
glory land, and see them beckon- 
ing to us, and calling us by name ! 



OF FRIENDS IN HEAVEN. 8l 

Oh, the scene would be so over- 
whelming, that we would lose all 
interest in the affairs of this world. 
Who would want to work in 
our shops or fields ? Who would 
want to stand in stores and sell 
dry goods and groceries ? Who 
would want to stand in banks and 
spend their time in counting mon- 
ey ? Who would want to build 
houses here, or keep them in or- 
der, when we had in view our 
glorious home in the mansions of 
our Father's house ? Our one and 
all absorbing wish and aspiration 
would be, to go away and be with 
Christ, to the disregard and neg- 
lect of every earthly duty. No, 



82 FUTURE RECOGNITION 

it would not be good to have 
heaven with all its glories and 
happiness opened to us now. It 
would be too soon. Let us abide 
our time and serve the Lord a 
little longer, until Christ shall say 
to us, "Come ye blessed of my 
Father, enter ye into the kingdom 
prepared for you from the founda- 
tion of the world." 



OF FRIENDS IN HEAVEN. 83 

future IRecognitfon Hmong 
Theologians* 

(Copied from Harbaugh.) 

Dr. Martin Luther. 

The following extract is part of 
a conversation which took place 
between Luther, Justus Jonas, 
Michael Celius, and the Counts of 
Mansfieldt, on Wednesday evening, 
February 17th, 1546, at Eisleben. 
He died next morning, the 18th, 
at 3 o'clock. It is said that during 
that evening which preceded his 
death, " he spake many earnest 
words in relation to death and the 
eternal world." The extract is 



84 , FUTURE RECOGNITION 

taken from Luther's Works, vol. 
viii., p. 384. Jena edition, 1562. 

" The same evening Dr. Luther 
made remarks on the question : 
Whether in the future blessed and 
eternal assembly and church we 
shall know each other f And as 
we anxiously desired to know his 
opinion, he said : How did Adam 
do ? He had never in his life seen 
Eve — he lay and slept — yet, when 
he awoke, he did not say, Whence 
did you come ? who are you ? but 
he said : " This is now bone of 
my bones, and flesh of my flesh. " 
How did he know that this woman 
did not spring forth from a stone ? 
He knew it, because he was full of 



OF FRIENDS IN HEAVEN. 85 

the Holy Spirit, and in possession 
of the true knowledge of God. 
Into this knowledge and image we 
will, in the future life, again be 
renewed in Christ ; so that we 
will know father, mother, and one 
another, on sight, better than did 
Adam and Eve." 

Melancthon Cruciger. Ole- 
vianus. scaliger. 

" Melancthon," says bishop Bur- 
gess, " a few days before his death, 
told Camerarius that he trusted 
their friendship should be cultivated 
and perpetuated in another world. 
Cruciger, another of the school of 
the Reformers, spoke, in his last 



86 FOfURB RECOGNITION 

hours, of meeting and recognition. 
Casper Olevianus, a divine of 
Heidelberg, when his son had been 
summoned to see him belore he 
should die, sent to him also the 
message, that ' he need not hurry: 
they should see one another in 
eternal life.' So Joseph Scaliger 
spoke of i soon meeting and em- 
bracing, no longer the subjects of 
age and infirmity.' " How precious 
is this testimony, in favor of this 
doctrine of heavenly recognition ; 
showing the power which the 
sweet social attractions of heaven 
exercised over these strong and 
earnest minds, in those stormy 
times ! The firmament of the 



OF FRIENDS IN HEAVEN. 87 

church rolled in tempests, but 
through the darkness broke this 
soft light from a serener world 
upon their souls — the more pre- 
cious at such a time. — Harbaugh. 

Rev. William Jay. 

It has been asked, shall we 
know each other in heaven ? Sup- 
pose you should not ; you may be 
assured of this, that nothing will 
be wanting to your happiness. 
But oh ! you say, how would the 
thought affect me now ! There is 
the babe that was torn from my 
bosom ; how lovely then, but a 
cherub now ! There is the friend, 
who was as mine own soul, with 



88 FUTURE RECOGNITION 

whom I took sweet counsel, and 
went to the house of God in com- 
pany. There is the minister — 
whose preaching turned my feet 
into the path of peace — whose 
words were to me a well of life. 
There is the beloved mother, on 
whose knees I first laid my little 
hands to pray ? and whose lips first 
taught my tongue to pronounce 
the name of Jesus! And are these 
removed from us for ever ? Shall 
we recognize them no more ? — 
Cease your anxieties. Can mem- 
ory be annihilated ? Did not 
Peter, James and John know 
Moses and Elias ? Does not the 
Savior inform us that thev who 



OF FRIENDS IN HEAVEN. 89 

have made friends of the mammon 
of unrighteousness shall be received 
by them into everlasting habi- 
tations ? Does not Paul tell the 
Thessalonians that they are his 
hope, and joy, and crown, at the 
coming of our Lord Jesus Christ? 

Archdeacon William Paley. 

If this (Col. i. 28) be rightly in- 
terpreted, then it affords the mani- 
fest and necessary inference, that 
the saints in a future life will 
meet and be known again to one 
another : for how, without know- 
ing again his converts, in their 
new and glorious state, could St. 
Paul desire or expect to present 
them at the last day ? 



90 FUTURE RECOGNITION 

Dr. George Christian Knapp, 

Professor of Theology in the Uni- 
versity of Halle. 

According to the representations 
contained in the holy scriptures, 
the saints will dwell together in 
the future world, and form, as it 
were, a kingdom or state of God. 
They will there partake of a com- 
mon felicity. Their enjoyment will 
doubtless be very much heightened 
by friendship, and by their confid- 
ing intercourse with each other. 
We must, however, separate all 
earthly imperfections irom our con- 
ceptions of this heavenly society. 
But that we shall there recognize 



OF FRIENDS IN HKAVKN. 91 

our former friends, and shall be 
again associated with them, was 
uniformly believed by all antiquity. 
This idea was admitted as alto- 
gether rational, and as a consoling 
thought, by the most distinguished 
ancient philosophers. Even reason 
regards this as in a high degree 
probable ; but to one who believes 
the holy scriptures it cannot be a 
matter of doubt and conjecture. 

Rev. Dr. John Tillotson, 
Archbishop of Canterbury. 

When we come to heaven we 
shall meet with all those excellent 
persons, those brave minds, those 
innocent and charitable souls,. 



92 FUTURE RECOGNITION 

whom We have seen, and heard, 
and read of in the world. There 
we shall meet many of our dear 
relations and intimate friends, and 
perhaps w 7 ith many of our enemies, 
to whom we shall then be per- 
fectly reconciled, notwithstanding 
all the warm contests and peevish 
differences which we had with 
them in this world, even about 
matters of religion. For heaven is 
a state of perfect love and friend- 
ship. 

Bishop Hall. 

Thou hast lost thy friend : — say, 
rather, thou hast parted with him. 
That is properly lost which is past 



OF FRIENDS IN HKAVEN. 93 

all recovery, which we are out of 
hope to see any more. It is not 
so with this friend thou mournest 
for ; he is but gone home a little 
before thee : thou art following 
him ; you two shall meet in your 
Father's house, and enjoy each 
other more happily, than you could 
have done here below. 

Melvill. 

It is yet but a little while, and 
we shall be delivered from the 
burden and the conflict, and, with 
all those who have preceded us in 
the righteous struggle, enjoy the 
deep raptures of a Mediator's pres- 
ence Then reunited to the friends 



-94 FUTURE RECOGNITION 

with whom we took sweet counsel 
upon earth, we shall recount our 
toil only to heighten our ecstacy ; 
and call to mind the tug and the 
din of war, only that, with a more 
bounding throb, and a richer song, 
we may feel and celebrate the 
wonders of redemption. 

John Calvin 

When Calvin was near his end, 
-Farel, his early and faithful friend, 
and then a venerable sage of 
eighty years, desired once more to 
see him in the flesh. Calvin dis- 
suaded him — though he did never- 
theless afterwards come from 
Neufchatel to Geneva, on foot, to 



OF FRIENDS IN HEAVEN, 95 

see his friend once more, and for 
the last time. In his letter to 
Farel, in which he takes his final 
leave from him, as he then sup- 
posed, he says : " God bless you, 
best and noblest brother ; and if 
God permits you still longer to 
live, forget not the tie that binds 
us, which will be just as agreeable 
to us in heaven as it has been 
useful to the church on earth." 

Rev. John Newton. 

I need not say to myself, or my 
dear friends who are in the Lord, 
^uo nunc abibis in loco ? We 
know where they are, and how 
employed. There I humbly trust 



96 FUTURE RECOGNITION 

my dear Mary is waiting for me, 
and in the Lord's own time I 
hope to join with her and all the 
redeemed in f>raising the Lamb, 
once upon the cross, now upon 
the throne of Glory. 

Rev. Richard Baxter. 

I must confess, as the exper- 
ience of my own soul, that the 
expectation of loving my friends in 
heaven principally kindles my love 
to them on earth. If I thought 
that I should never know them, 
and consequently never love them 
after this life is ended, I should in 
reason number them with temporal 
things, and love them as such. 



OF FRIENDS IN HEAVEN. 97 

But I now delight to converse 
with my pious friends, in a firm 
persuasion that I shall converse 
with them for ever ; and I take 
comfort in those of them that are 
dead or absent, as believing I shall 
shortly meet them in heaven, and 
love them with a heavenly love 
that shall there be perfected. 

Dr. Thomas Chalmers. 

Tell us if Christianity does not 
throw a pleasing radiance around 
an infant's tomb ? And should 
any parent who hears us feel soft- 
ened by the remembrance of the 
light that twinkled a few short 
months under his roof, and at the 



98 future: recognition 

end of its little period expired, we 
cannot think that we venture too 
far, when we say that he has only 
to persevere in the faith and in the 
following of the Gospel, and that 
very light will again shine upon 
him in heaven. The blossom 
which withered here upon its 
stalk, has been transplanted there 
to a place of endurance ; and it 
will then gladden that eye which 
now weeps out the agony of an af- 
fection that has been sorely 
wounded ; and, in the name of 
him who, if on earth, would have 
wept along with them, do we bid 
all believers present to sorrow 
not even as others which have no 



OF FRIENDS IN HEAVEN. 99 

hope ; but to take comfort in the 
hope of that country where there 
is no sorrow and no separation. 

Dr. Doddridge. 

Let me be thankful for the 
pleasing hope that though God 
loves my child too well to permit 
it to return to me, he will ere 
long bring me to it. And then 
that endeared paternal affection, 
which would have been a cord to 
tie me to earth, and have added 
new pangs to my removal from 
it, will be as a golden chain to 
draw me upwards, and add ore 
farther charm and joy even to 
paradise itself. Was this my deso- 



IOO FUTURE RECOGNITION 

lation ? this my sorrow ? to part 
with thee for a few days, that I 
might receive thee for ever, 
(Philem,, ver. 15,) and find thee 
what thou art ? It is ior no lan- 
guage but that of heaven, to de- 
scribe the sacred joy which such a 
meeting must occasion. 

Ulrich Zwinglius, 
The Swiss Reformer. 

There you may hope to see the 
society, the assembly, and. the 
dwelling together, of all the holy, 
wise, faithful, heroic, firm, and vir- 
tuous, who have lived since the 
beginning of the world. There 
you shall see the two Adams, the 



OF FRIENDS IN HKAV3N. ioi 

saved and the Savior. There you 
will see Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abra- 
ham, Isaac, Jacob, Judah, Moses, 
Joshua, Gideon, Samuel, Phineas, 
Elijah, Elisha, Isaiah, and the 
mother of God of whom he has 
prophesied. There you will see 
David, Hezekiah, Josiah, John the 
Baptist, Peter, Paul, etc. There 
you will see yours who have gone 
before you, and all your forefathers 
who have departed this life in the 
faith. In a word, no virtuous per- 
son, no holy mind, no believing 
soul, has lived from the beginning 
of the world, or shall yet live, that 
you shall not there meet with 
God. 



102 FUTURE RECOGNITION 

Fenelon. 

If we are sorrowing under a 
misfortune, of which this world 
affords no alleviation, the death of 
those most dear to us, let us hum- 
bly offer to our God the beloved 
whom we have lost. And what, 
after all, have we lost ? the re- 
maining days of a being, whom 
we indeed loved, but whose hap- 
piness we do not consider in our 
regret ; who, perhaps, was not 
happy here, but who certainly 
must be much happier with God ; 
and whom we shall meet again, 
not in this dark and sorrowful 
scene, but in the bright regions of 



OE FRIENDS IN HEAVEN 103 

eternal day, and partake in the in- 
expressible happiness of eternity. 

He has placed the friends whom 
he has taken from us in safety, to 
restore them to us in eternity. 
He has deprived us of them, that 
he may teach us to love them 
with a pure love, a love that we 
may enjoy in his presence for 
ever ; he confers a greater bless- 
ing than we were capable of de- 



siring. 



Very soon they who are sep- 
arated will be reunited, and there 
will appear no trace of the separa- 
tion. They who are about to set 
out upon a journey, ought not to 
feel themselves far distant from 



104 FUTURE RECOGNITION 

those. who have gone to the same 
country a few days before. Life is 
like a torrent ; the past is but a 
dream ; the present, while we are 
thinking of it, escapes us, and is 
precipitated into the same abyss 
that has swallowed up the past; 
the future will not be of a differ- 
ent nature ; it will pass as rapidly. 
A few moments, and a few more, 
and all will be ended ; what has 
appeared long and tedious, will 
seem short when it is finished. 

Rev. Dr Edwards. 

It is reasonable to believe that 
the saints shall know that they 
had such and such a relation to 



OF FRIENDS IN H^AVKN. IOJ 

one another when they were on 
earth. The father shall know that 
such a one was his child ; the 
husband shall remember that such 
a one was his wife ; the spiritual 
guide shall know that such be- 
longed to his flock ; and so all 
other relations of persons shall be 
renewed and known in heaven. 
The ground of which assertion is 
this, that the soul of man is of 
that nature that it depends not on 
the body and sense, and, therefore, 
being separated, knows all that it 
knew in the body. And for this 
reason it is not to be doubted that 
it arrives in the other world with 
the same designs and inclinations 



106 FUTURE RECOGNITION 

it had here. So that the delights 
of conversation are continued in 
heaven. Friends and relations are 
familiar and free with one another, 
and call to mind their iormer cir- 
cumstances and concerns in the 
world, so far as they may be ser- 
viceable to advance their happi- 
ness. 

Rev. S. S Schmucker, D. D., 

Professor of Theology^ Gettysburg y 

Pennsylvania. 

And how could Abraham's 
bosom, the region of the blessed, 
be other than a state of enjoyment 
to the Christian ? There we shall 
see Lazarus, and be comforted 



OF FRIENDS IN HEAVEN. I07 

with him ! There we shall see 

father Abraham, and rest from all 

our sorrows, reclining on his 

bosom ! There we shall see the 

ancient patriarchs and prophets I 

There we shall see Jeremiah, who 

wept over the desolations of Israel; 

and Daniel, who, in defiance of the 

king and all his nobles, prayed 

three times a day to his God, and 

whom his God saved from the 

mouth of the lions ! There we 

shall find the apostles, and Luther, 

and Calvin, and Zwinglius, and all 

• 

that host of worthies of whom the 

world was not worthy, who, amid 

a wicked and perverse generation, 

maintained their fidelity to the end, 



108 FUTURE RECOGNITION 

and received not the mark of the 
beast. How can the place of de- 
parted spirits fail to be a place of 
joy to the Christian ? for there he 
shall meet all those pious relatives 
and friends whom heaven indul- 
gent gave to him awhile, and 
heaven mysterious soon resumed 
again. 

Rev. William Dodd, D. D. 

This is the joy, this is the grand 
source of consolation under the 
loss of friends, — we shall meet 
again ! They are delivered from 
their trial, while we are left behind 
a few weary years longer ; and be- 
hold, the time of our departure 



OF FRIENDS IN HEAVEN. IO9 

also cometb, when we shall follow 
our friends, and be for ever with 
them and with the Lord ! There 
shall the enraptured parents re- 
ceive again their much-loved child; 
there shall the child, with trans- 
port, meet again those parents in 
joy, over whose graves, with filial 
duty, he dropped the affectionate 
tear ; there shall the disconsolate 
widow cease her complaints ; and 
her orphans, — orphans now no 
more, — shall tell the sad tale of 
their distress to the husband, the 
father ; distress even pleasing to 
recollect, now that happiness is its 
result, and heaven its end ! There 
shall the soft sympathies of endear- 



IIO FUTURK RECOGNITION 

ing friendship be renewed ; affec- 
tionate sisters shall congratulate 
each other, and faithful friends 
again shall mingle converse, inter- 
ests, amities, and walk high in 
bliss with God himself. 

Bunyan's dying words. 

Weep not for me, but for your- 
selves. I go to the Father of our 
Lord Jesus Christ, who will no 
doubt receive me, though a sinner, 
through the medium of our Lord 
Jesus Christ, where I hope we 
shall ere long meet, to sing the 
new song and remain happy for 
ever, in a world without end. 
Amen. 



OF FRIENDS IN HEAVEN. Ill 

George Herbert. 

My hope is that I shall shortly 
leave this valley of tears, and be 
free from all fevers and pain ; and 
which will be a more happy con- 
dition, I shall be free from sin, 
and all the temptations and anx- 
ieties that attend it ; and this be- 
ing past, I shall dwell in the New 
Jerusalem ; dwell there with men 
made perfect ; dwell where these 
eyes shall see my Master and 
Savior, Jesus ; and with him see 
my dear mother, and all my rela- 
tions and friends. But I must die, 
or not come to that happy place. 



112 FUTURE RECOGNITION 

Rev. John James, D. D., 
Prebendary of Peterborough. . 

It is no dreaming fancy to ex- 
pect, that in another world we 
shall preserve our identity— shall 
know and be known even as in 
this. Let the mourner in Sion 
continue u patient in well-doing ; " 
" looking for and hasting to the 
coming of the Lord," when shall 
begin the reunion of kindred 
spirits, whom in this world death 
had separated. Parent to child, 
sister to brother, husband to wife, 
friend to friend, shall then be re- 
stored — a blessed communion of 
saints, whom nor sin nor sorrow 
shall sever more. 



OF FRIENDS IN HEAVEN. II3 

Lavel. 

Let those mourn without meas* 
ure, who mourn without hope. 
The husbandman does not mourn, 
when he casts his seed into the 
ground. He expects to receive it 
again, and more. The same hope 
have we, respecting our friends 
who have died in faith. " I would 
not have you ignorant," says Paul, 
" concerning them who are asleep, 
that ye sorrow not as others who 
have no hope ; for if we believe 
that Jesus died and rose again, 
even so also them who sleep in 
Jesus will God bring with him." 
He seems to say : " Look not on 
the dead as lost. They are not 



II 4 FUTURE RECOGNITION 

annihilated. Indeed, they are not 
dead. They only sleep ; and they 
sleep to wake again." You do not 
lament over your children or 
friends, while slumbering on their 
beds. Consider death as a sleep 
from which they shall certainly 
awake Even a heathen philosopher 
could say, that he enjoyed his 
friends, expecting to part with 
them ; and parted with them, ex- 
pecting to see them again. And 
shall a heathen excel a Christian 
in bearing affliction with cheerful- 
ness ? 



OF FRIENDS IN HEAVEN. 115 

Rev. Thomas Smyth, D. D. 

Can we not with David rejoic- 
ingly declare, " They cannot come 
to us, but we can go to them ? " 
Yes, we can go to them. " They 
are not lost, but gone before." 
There in that world of light, and 
love, and joy, they await our com- 
ing. There do they beckon us to 
ascend. There do they stand 
ready to welcome us. There may 
we meet them, when a few more 
suns or seasons shall have cast 
their departing shadows upon our 
silent grave. Then shall our joy 
be full and our sorrows ended, and 
all tears wiped from our eyes. 



Il6 FUTURE RECOGNITION 

Death separates, but it can never 
disunite those who are bound 
together in Christ Jesus. To them, 
death in his power ot an endless 
separation, is abolished. It is no 
more death, but a sweet depar- 
ture, a journey from earth to 
heaven. Our children are still 
ours. We are still their parents. 
We are yet one family — one in 
memory — one in hope — one in 
spirit. Our children are yet with 
us, and dwell with us in our 
sweetest, fondest recollections. 
We too are yet with them in 
the bright anticipations of our re- 
union with them, in the glories of 
the upper sanctuary. We mingle 



OF FRIKNDS IN HKAVKN. 117 

together indeed no more in sorrow 
and in pain, 

But we shall join love's buried ones 

again 
In endless bands, and in eternal peace. 

Rev. Theophilus Stork, D. D. 

The spiritual world is no longer 
a region of shadows, for loved and 
cherished friends dwell there. Fa- 
miliar voices are speaking there. 
Hearts whose pulses of love we 
have felt here throb there un- 
changed, except as their earthly 
graces have brightened into a 
heavenly glory. If it is home to 
dwell with those we love, how 
surely and rapidly homes are 



Il8 FUTURE RECOGNITION 

building for us in the unseen 
world. The cloud of witnesses is 
gathering, and, when we depart 
from earth, we shall not go as ex- 
iles to a land of strangers. 

How beautiful is that description 
of the welcome of the new-born 
soul to the spirit-land by the an- 
gels, whose every look was tender- 
ness and every utterance musical 
with joy : 

11 Welcome to heaven, dear brother, wel- 
come home ! 

Welcome to thy inheritance of light ! 

Welcome forever to thy Savior's joy! 

Thy work is done, thy pilgrimage is 
past; 

Thy guardian angel's vigil is fulfill'd; 



OF FRIENDS IN HEAVEN. 1 1 9 

Thy parents wait thee in the bowers of 

bliss ; 
Thy infant babes have woven wreaths 

for thee ; 
Thy brethren, who -have entered into 

rest, 
Long for thy coming; and the angel 

choirs 
Are ready with their symphonies of 

praise." 

How dear to Christian hope is 
the promise of Jesus to the sor- 
rowing disciples just before his de- 
parture : " I go to prepare a place 
for )Ou." And is it irreverent to 
think that all the loved in Jesus 
who depart from us are going to 
prepare a place, a home for us ? 



120 FUTURE RECOGNITION 

And when that place is thus pre- 
pared, the touch of the angel of 
death to our own dying lips is but 
the kiss of welcome to that eter- 
nal home. 

Lift up your tearful eyes, ye 
children of sadness and bereave- 
ment, and behold that great cloud 
of witnesses ! Look up to Jesus, 
" the author and finisher of our 
faith ,; The departure of loved 
ones is a sorrow which shades the 
earth, but opens heaven. How 
these witnesses bv their memories 
consecrate and transfigure our 
homes on earth. The child de- 
parted may now be sitting in the 
midst of us, like the child whom 



OF FRIENDS IN HEAVEN. 121 

Jesus once placed in the midst of 
his disciples, to reveal to the heart 
the spirit of Heaven. It may be 
near to whisper messages from the 
Father more directly to the soul. 
Every Christian friend departed 
may in spirit be walking with us 
by the way, causing our hearts to 
rejoice within us by opening to us 
the deep things of God, though, 
like the disciples of old, our eyes 
are holden that we see it not. 
Yes, we are encompassed with a 
cloud of witnesses, who, through 
faith and patience, now inherit the 
promises And they speak to us ? 
and beckon us to their bright and 
happy home. The departed mother 



FUTURE RECOGNITION 



may be one of the angels who 
watch over the child. The glori- 
fied child may come with consola- 
tions to the weeping mother. And 
while we linger at the tomb of the 
loved, whither we have gone to 
embalm them anew in our mem- 
ory, they may be standing as it 
were behind us, as the risen Jesus 
stood behind Mary at the sepul- 
chre. They do not call us by 
name, and reveal their presence as 
Jesus revealed himself to Mary. 
Yet they may whisper thoughts 
within our hearts which bid us 
turn and follow them in the path 
of their bright ascension 

These witnesses make the spirit- 



OF FRIENDS IN HEAVEN. 1 23 

ual world real to the mind and 
heart, and hallow this world by 
their memories and purity. They 
speak from the heavens as all-en- 
compassing angels. They utter a 
glorious testimony on earth, and 
brighten to faith the unseen world. 
How beautiful the ministry of these 
ascended spirits ! How bright and 
lovely the visions of our heavenly 
home, as we think of the many 
friends and loved ones that have 
been gathered from our earthly 
households in that immortal com- 
pany ! Ye heavenly witnesses, the 
cloud of shining ones, compass us 
about with your sacred memories ; 
with the testimonies of your holy 



124 FUTURE RECOGNITION 

lives and peaceful deaths ; with 
the ministries which are still per- 
mitted you in the Father's Provi- 
dence. Compass us about that we 
may " run with patience the race 
that is set before us, looking unto 
Jesus," until we are taken into 
your bright companionship, into 
the pure and unending fellowship 
of the redeemed. And, oh, what 
unspeakable ecstasy of joy, when 
the veil is lifted, and we see these 
witnesses that encompassed our 
path, and with them behold the 
Lamb in the midst of the throne ! 
And in that final apocalypse of the 
spiritual world we shall see the 
loved ones gone before, and know 



OF FRIENDS IN HEAVEN. 1 25 

them as they welcome us to the 
heavenly home. How beautiful 
and true is that description of 
Bickersteth of the parent and the 
children meeting in heaven ? 

" And when I saw my little lambs un- 
changed, 

And heard them fondly call me by my 
name, 

1 Then is the bond of parent and of 
child 

Indissoluble," I exclaim'd, and drew 

Them closer to my heart and wept for 
joy." 

James M. MacDonald. 

It would not be the heaven 
which the Bible promises, though 
all our friends were there, without 



126 FUTURE RECOGNITION 

the presence of the blessed Re- 
deemer. It is to see Jesus and be 
like him, upon which our hearts 
should be principally set. But 
there need be no doubt on this 
account, about our knowing in 
heaven, those whom we knew and 
loved on earth. Indeed, such 
knowledge will serve to discover 
to us, more fully, the glory and 
the honor due to the blessed Re- 
deemer The purity of every 

saved sinner will reflect the infin- 
ite purity of the lamb in whose 
blood they have washed their 
robes, and made them white. To 
admire the silver beauty ot the 
Moon and planets of our nocturnal 



OF FRIENDS IN HEAVEN. 127 

heavens, is but another way of ad- 
miring the light of that superior, 
central orb which they do but re- 
flect. To know, therefore, and love 
our friends, when they are made to 
reflect more perfectly their Re- 
deemer's glory in heaven, is but 
another mode of adoring him who 
is "the light thereof." 

Christian followship is now found 
to be one of the chief sources of 
pious joy. The hearts of Chris- 
tians, as they talk of the things of 
the kingdom, and of God's gra- 
cious dealings with their souls often 
" burn within " them ; and seasons 
of worship become peculiar sea- 



128 Fl,fURK RECOGNITION 

sons of eternal love and joy : We 
sing : 

Our souls thy love together knit, 

Cemented, mixed in one, 
One hope, one heart, one mind, one voice, 

Tis heaven on earth begun. 

Our hearts have often burned within, 
And glowed with a sacred fire, 

While Jesus spake and fed and blessed, 
And filled the enlarged desire. 

Or as in another sweet hymn : 

Blest be the tie that binds 
Our hearts in Christian love, 

The fellowship of kindred minds 
Is like to that above. 

Before our Father's throne, 
We pour our ardent prayers ; 



OF FRIENDS IN HEAVEN. 129 

Our fears and hopes, our aims are one 
Our comforts and our cares. 

We share our mutual woes, 

Our mutual burdens bear, 
And often for each other flows 

The sympathizing tear. 

When we assunder part, 

It gives us inward pain ; 
But we shall still be joined in heart, 

And hope to meet again. 

From sorrow toil and pain, 

And sin we shall be free ; 
And perfect love and friendship reign, 

Through all eternity. 

" My Father's House :" It is true, 
we shall have no " mutual bur- 
dens " to bear in heaven, and shall 
never shed for each other " the 



130 FUTURE RECOGNITION 

sympathizing tear," even as we 
shall never " assunder part ; " but 
shall we have no " mutual joys to 
share ? " Shall we not " still be 
joined in heart/' when we meet 
again. 

And perfect love and friendship reign, 
Through all eternity. 



OF FRIENDS IN HEAVEN. 13$ 

©Ejections to tbe Boctrfne ot 
future IRecognitton* 

Dr Harbaugh has stated and 
answered the following objections, 
which we quote from his excellent 
book : 

" There are persons who though 
they have any amount of positi e 
proof in favor of a subject, never- 
theless doubt, as long as certain 
difficulties existing in their minds 
are not removed." 

" They can always tell what 
they do not believe, and why they 
do not believe it ; but they can 
not so well say what they do be- 
lieve, and why they believe it " 



132 FUTURE RECOGNITION 

u Many objections may be found 
always, even against a true doc- 
trine. Nothing is easier than to 
show, that there are difficulties 
which lie in the way of truth. 
Let it, however, be remembered 
that if any doctrine can be proved 
to be true by positive evidence, 
a thousand objections that may be 
raised against it cannot prove it 
untrue It remains true, even if 
we should not be able to answer 
the objections ; Our tailing to an- 
swer them proves nothing but our 
own limited knowledge. We must 
learn, first of all, in our search of 
truth, that our own ignorance is 
not its measure. In regard to the 



OF FRIENDS IN HEAVEN. 133 

doctrine before us, however we 
discover no objections which may 
not be fully answered." 

I. The great change which will take 
place in death. 

"We shall all be changed." The 
change which, according to the 
scriptures, is to take place, espe- 
cially in our bodies at the transition 
of death, will, in many respects, 
be great. 

A great change may take place, 
both in the body and spirit, with- 
out destroying those marks of 
identity and those peculiarities of 
character by which recognition 
takes place. The change which 



J 34 FUTURE RECOGNITION 

comes with death will consist, not 
in adding any thing entirely or 
essentially new, but only in an un- 
folding and perfecting of what is 
already at hand in us. There is a 
great difference between a small 
sapling and a full-grown tree ; and 
yet great as the apparent change 
is, the marks of its identity con- 
tinue through all the stages of its 
evolution. In the different stages 
of human life, through infancy, 
childhood, youth, manhood, and 
age, the same being continues car- 
rying with him his pecularities, 
and preserves from one stage to 
the other those marks by which 
he is recognized as the same per- 



OF FRIENDS IN HEAVEN. 1 55 

son. There are features which 
run with marked prominence 
through all these transitions. 

That the change which awaits 
us is one, not of transformation, 
but of evolution, is evident from 
scripture representations of it The 
apostle Paul represents the new 
celestial man as rising out of the 
old earthly man. as the new grain 
rises out of the old. The change 
is not so much in the outward 
form as in the inward potence 
which fills out and pervades the 
form with a new life. The orig- 
inal form will remain while the 
element oi corruption will be 
changed into that of incorruption. 



I36 FUTURE RECOGNITION 

The dishonor, which in various 
ways, and in various degrees, at- 
taches to our present life, will 
give way to glory. Weakness will 
be swallowed up in power. The 
natural will pass into the spiritual, 
the mortal into immortality. Now, 
all these changes are but risings 
from a lower to a higher life, 
which, though they involve great 
changes, are not in form but in 
power. They may all take place 
without radically changing those 
familiar peculiarities which make 
recognition possible. As in life a 
person is changed from a sinner 
to a saint, while he still retains, to 
a great extent, the same external 



OF FRIENDS IN HEAVEN 1 37 

features ; so, the elements of 
power, glory and immortality, may 
t>e unfolded in us, in our glorifica- 
tion, without producing any more 
change in the appearance of that 
side of our being with which we 
were wont to converse with our 
friends, than the positive condition 
of electricity does upon that which 
it fills with its mysterious fluid. 

The transfiguration of Christ 
upon the mount was no doubt in- 
tended, in part, to give the apos- 
tles a glimpse of what they might 
expect, when " he should change 
their vile bodies, that they might 
be fashioned like unto his glorious 
body." There the change which 



138 future: recognition 

took place in their Master was 
great : u the fashion of his coun- 
tenance was altered, and his rai- 
ment was white and glistening," 
u and his face did shine as the 
sun ; " yet still they knew Him 
from the rest amid that ''' excellent 
glory," and they u were eye-wit- 
nesses of his majesty." His glor- 
ious person was still, as to its ex- 
ternal marks, what it was before, 
and could be recognized as his 
through the veil of holy light 
which enshrouded it. May not 
the same be the case with us in 
our glorified bodies ? 



OF FRIENDS IN HEAVEN. 139 

II. If it were true, it would be more 
clearly revealed. 

It is said by way of objection : 
If this were a doctrine, true and 
to be believed, it would have been 
more directly, clearly, and fully re- 
vealed. If true, this doctrine is 
full of consolation ; and it is there- 
fore natural and reasonable, it is 
said, to think that He, who would 
not deprive His people of any 
source of comfort, would have 
spoken clearly on such an impor- 
tant point. 

Let us look at this objection. 
The fact that this doctrine is not 
often, and then only incidentally 
mentioned, is rather a proof in its 



140 FUTURE RECOGNITION 

favour than against it. It shows 
that the truth of it was taken for 
granted at the time when it was 
thus incidentally alluded to — it was 
not necessary to propound it for- 
mally as a doctrine, but merely to 
allude to it as something already 
universally believed. All scripture 
allusions to it are made upon the 
supposition that it is an acknow- 
ledged truth. In this view of the 
matter an incidental allusion is 
even stronger than a direct asser- 
tion ; for while it has all the au- 
thority of a direct testimony, it 
shows at the same time the ab- 
sence of all disposition or intention 
to deceive. Thus, if I say, I trav- 



OF FRIENDS IN HEAVEN. 141 

elled under the rays of the hot 
sun, this is the strongest possible 
proof that it was a clear day, and 
in the summer. 

Moreover, there are many of 
the most important doctrines of 
the scripture resting on precisely 
the same ground as this, in this 
respect. Such, for instance, are 
the doctrine of the Holy Trinity, 
the necessity of making a profess- 
ion of religion by a connection 
with the church, the immortality 
of the soul, female communion, 
family worship, and other less 
prominent doctrines or duties, con- 
cerning which we have no doubt. 
Such doctrines existed in the 



142 FUTURE) RECOGNITION 

church from the beginning, were 
carried down its stream in the 
flow of their own ,life ; they 
needed no positive statement, for 
they were established by the same 
evidence by which the mission of 
the church was established, and the 
mission of those who alluded to 
these doctrines as true. Just so in 
reference to this doctrine ; its ex- 
istence in the favor of those in- 
spired persons who allude to it as 
true, is the strongest evidence of 
its truth. 



OF FRIENDS IN HF.AVKN. 143 

III. The heavenly life will be much 
higher than this. 

It has been thought that heav- 
enly recognition cannot take 
place, because the heavenly life 
will be so much higher than this, 
and so far different from it, that 
all earthly relations, connections 
and dependencies, must be swal- 
lowed up, superseded, or set 
aside. 

To this we reply, that it is 

scriptural to say, that the future 
life will not be a destruction of 
this, but a continuation of it. We 
will be higher beings, and differ- 
ent beings there, but not other 
beings. All our affections will be 



144 FUTURE RECOGNITION 

vastly elvated, sanctified, increased 
and perfected, without any violent 
severing of them from their past 
life on the earth. Here on earth, 
when one becomes a Christian, he 
rises into higher relations and 
affinities than those in which he 
stood before ; but this does not 
annihilate his previous being ; it 
only perfects it. He does not, tor 
instance, become unfit for family 
relations and social life in general 
by this advancement, but rather 
the contrary. His new relation to 
Christ does not supersede and de- 
stroy his old relations to his 
friends and fellow men. His life 
flows on as before, only in a 



OF FRIENDS IN HEAVEN. I45 

holier stream. His affections still 
radiate, but with a serener and 
heavenlier light. So in heaven ; 
though introduced into higher and 
holier grades of social life, the 
soul will still draw after it what 
it loved in its state of grace on 
earth, and continue to turn to- 
wards it with the sweetest remem- 
brance. 

IV. It will introduce partiality into 
Heaven. 

Will it not introduce partiality 
in heaven ? This question indi- 
cates an objection which is at first 
sight somewhat plausible. It can, 
however, be easily and satisfactorily 



146 future; recognition 

answered. Should we even find it 
necessary to believe, that in hea- 
ven, friends would love friends 
more than other saints, this could 
be without any evil effects. For 
there no feelings of jealousy will 
exist to take cognizance of it. 
No one will stop, in the general 
joy and harmony which will char- 
acterize the heavenly intercourse, 
to measure, with suspicious eye, 
the affections of other saints, much 
less desire to attract any to him- 
self to the disparagement of others. 
Suppose it even to be known 
there, that kindred and kindred 
are peculiarly attached, it could 
not be regarded an evil in heaven. 



OF FRIENDS IN HEAVEN. 1 47 

Do Christians here on earth feel 
jealous of other Christians, because 
they know them to be peculiarly 
attached to their own kindred ? 
Certainly not. They rather praise 
them for it, and themselves rejoice 
in it; and will not heaven be en- 
tirely free from all those unworthy 
feelings which would create dif- 
ficulty there in the intercourse of 
saints made perfect in holy love ? 

In this life we may act from 
various motives, all of which may 
be right ones, though some may 
be subordinate to others ; so in 
heaven, we may exercise various 
affections, and if we should even 
grant that some are less high and 



148 FUTURE RECOGNITION 

excellent than others, they would 
not thereby be rendered improper. 
A small light is not darkness, be- 
cause it is not so large and bright 
as a larger one. We might as 
well say that children, in loving 
one another, must necessarily dis- 
parage their parents — or because 
stars shine they dishonor the moon. 
In this world saints have their 
chief enjoyments in direct com- 
munion with God, but this does 
not exclude and make unlawful 
those thousand little every-day 
joys which fall to their lot, and 
make up their incidental and sub- 
ordinate comforts. 



OF FRIENDS IN HEAVEN 149 

V. The love of Christ will occupy us en- 
tirely. 

It is said that in heaven Jesus 
and his love will employ our af- 
fections so entirely and eternally, 
that we shall have no time nor 
desire to know and to be con- 
cerned about our friends ; and that 
even a wish to know friends, and 
to renew our particular affection 
for them, would be a disparage- 
ment to Christ, Some have ex- 
pressed themselves with great ex- 
travagance on this point, This 
objection has the recommendation 
of having a zeal for Christ, but 
it will hardly be found to be 
according to knowledge. Such 



150 FUTURE) RECOGNITION 

expressions must be placed in the 
same class with those which 
speak, with affected zeal, of the 
pure spirituality of heaven — as not 
a place, but merely a state ; af- 
firming that where Christ is, 
there is heaven, even if it were 
on earth or in hell. It is true 
that with Christ, and with the 
love of God shed abroad in our 
hearts, we have heavenly joys, 
but we are nevertheless not in 
heaven, unless we are in that 
-place which is heaven. Where 
Christ is now, there is heaven ; 
and it is nowhere else, be our 
feelings what they may. In like 
manner, we may say, that to be 



OF FRIENDS IN HEAVEN. 151 

with Christ, to behold His glory, 
and to enjoy His love, is the chief 
attraction of the heavenly world ; 
but the scriptures nowhere coun- 
tenance the idea that we shall do 
nothing there but stand like stat- 
ues and gaze at Him. Such 
fancies betray a strange superficial 
extravagance. While the Lamb is 
the bright and glorious centre, in 
whom all the rays of heavenly 
love meet, He is, at the same 
time, the Sun which warms, ani- 
mates and enlivens all the social 
circles of the saints which sur- 
round Him. While the saints love 
Him in the light and life of that 
love which He sheds around Him, 



152 FUTURE RECOGNITION 

they also see each other better 
and love each other more in the 
same blessed light; just as the 
brightness which makes the nat- 
ural sun itself so prominent to our 
view, is the means, at the same 
time, of enabling us to see and 
know the objects around us. His 
presence there, no more destroys 
the social life and love of heaven, 
than the sun makes the earth 
dark. 

It might, with the same propriety, 
be argued that particular attachments 
among saints on earth were a dis- 
paragement to Christ, and hindred 
our love to Him. This however, 
is not the case, but it is the direct 



OF FRIENDS IN HEAVEN. 153 

contrary ; for Christ, by his example 
encouraged particular friendships — 
the family of Bethany and " the 
beloved disciple " shared his pecu- 
liar affections. In like manner 
children that love each other are 
not thereby hindred, but assisted, 
in loving their parents. It cannot 
therefore, be, that such particular 
attachments can, in any way, in- 
terfere with full, free and entire 
love to Christ. They do not so 
interfere in this life, and it cannot 
be shown that they will in the life 
to come. Love to Him, and love 
to the brethern, cannot be dis- 
joined ; for the same life of love 
which joins us to Him, joins us to 



154 FUTURE RECOGNITION 

each other. Where the one ex- 
ists the other must also be 
found ; and the more we love our 
friends, whom we have seen, the 
more will we love Christ, whom 
we have not seen. 

VI. Christ's answer to the Sadducees. 

An objection has been built 
upon the answer which Christ 
gave to the Sadducees, when they 
asked Him whose wife she, who 
had been the wife of seven, 
should be in the resurrection. 
The answer of the Savior was : 
" Ye do err, not knowing the 
scripture, nor the power of God. 
For in the resurrection they 



OF FRIENDS IN HEAVEN. 155 

neither marry nor are given in 
marriage, but are as the angels of 
God in heaven." Matt. xxii. 2g> 
30. All that is here asserted is, 
that in heaven they do not marry 
— it is by no means either said or 
intimated that they do not know- 
each other. The Savior could 
have met the difficulty which they 
sought, in this instance, to throw 
in the way of the doctrine of the 
resurrection, by simply denying 
the doctrine of heavenly recogni- 
tion ; and we may suppose that he 
would have done so were it not 
true. He could have said to 
them : your objection amounts to 
nothing ; for there is no know- 



156 FUTURE RECOGNITION 

ledge of acquaintances, and no ex- 
tension of earthly ties beyond the 
grave — even husbands and wives 
will have no knowledge of each 
other there : and hence your ques- 
tion, whose wife shall she be of 
the seven ? has no force by way 
of objection. He does not, how- 
ever, resort to this simple mode of 
silencing them. He does not say 
that they shall not know each 
other, but only that they shall not 
marry nor be given in marriage. 
The reason he gives for this is 
plain and proper — "they are as 
the angels of God in heaven " — or, 
as Luke says, "neither can they 
die any more: for they are equal 



OF FRIENDS IN HEAVEN. 157 

to the angels." They are equal to 
the angels, not in every respect — 
not, certainly, in being strangers 
to each other eternally ; but they 
are equally immortal as the an- 
gels : u they die no more." Be- 
cause they die no more, they can 
need no more reparations for 
losses through death by means of 
the marriage institution : hence 
this institution will not continue in 
heaven. This does not, in the 
least, intimate that the affections 
begotten, and the friendships 
formed in this relation, shall not 
be renewed and continue in the 
heavenly social life. 

This passage may be para- 



158 FUTURE RECOGNITION 

phrased thus: "Ye Sadducees, 
who deny that there is a resurrec- 
tion, and suppose that this instance 
gives you ground for such denial, 
do err in regard to the nature of 
the future life. The reason of 
your error is ignorance of the 
scriptural idea of the reason of the 
matrimonial institution, which is to 
people the earth, with the final ob- 
ject also of peopling heaven, by 
the increase of holy families. But 
there being no more death in 
heaven, the reason which induced 
Moses to command that the 
brother should take her to wife, 
viz. to " raise up seed unto his 
brother," does not there exist ; 



OF FRIENDS IN HKAV^N. 1 59 

consequently the marriage institu- 
tion will not continue in the resur- 
rection ; and hence your objection 
to the resurrection on this ground 
has no force. 

VII. We should miss some who will not 
be there. 

" There shall be no more death, neither 
sorrow, nor crying ; neither shall there be any 
more pain ; for the former things are passed 
away." — A voice from Heaven , Rev. xxi. 4. 

It has been objected, that if we 
shall be able to know our friends 
in heaven, we should have to 
miss some who will not be there. 
This, it has been thought, would 
introduce pain and distress into 
heaven ; for it cannot be, it is sup- 



l6o FimjRE RECOGNITION 

posed, that even in heaven we 
should be able to endure without 
sorrow the absence of our friends 
— especially the thought that they 
are in the world of despair. 

i. In death, all ties which are 
not sanctified, and and thus made 
eternal by the life and power of 
grace, must be dropped and left 
behind. 

There are many ties which are 
in no sense, and in no degree, 
gracious. Ties that have not been 
formed by the life of religion, and 
which are not sustained and per- 
vaded by it. There are ties, in the 
formation of which religion has not 
in the least been recognized, and 



OF FRIENDS IN HEAVEN. i6l 

which have no religious end in 
view. All ties between saints and 
sinners are of this kind. These 
must perish in death. 

Let it be well remembered that 
even the ties of kindred are 
merely and entirely natural and 
instinctive, unless they are elevated 
and sanctified by grace. 

2. We have positive and actual 
evidence that the knowledge of 
the fate of those that are lost, 
even where affection for them 
once was strong, is not incompati- 
ble with the full and happy enjoy- 
ment of heavenly felicity. 

The Savior, for instance, is 
perfectly happy in heaven, with a 



162 FUTURE RECOGNITION 

full knowledge of the situation of 
the lost, and yet He once loved 
them. Will any one say that His 
love for them was not once as 
strong as ours can possibly be for 
any of our friends ? He certainly 
did for these sinners what none of 
us would do for our kindred, while 
they are enemies to us. " He 
sticketh closer than a brother." 
Yet on account of their final im- 
penitency his feelings toward them 
have undergone a change ; so that 
though He once distressed Him- 
self on their account, their situa- 
tion does not now interfere with 
His heavenly felicity. Once their 
condition cost Him tears, but now 



OF FRIENDS IN HKAV3N, 1 63 

He weeps no more ! May not we 
expect a similar change to take 
place in our feelings ? Now, na- 
ture rebels against that thought, 
and is far from desiring such a 
change ; yet this is not the first 
time that God's goodness and 
grace have done for us far better 
than our wishes. 

The same may be said of the 
angels in glory. They once loved 
those angels which are now fal- 
len. They know also their doom 
and present situation Who will 
say that the love for each other 
which reigned in the holy hearts 
of angels, before the fall of 
some, was not as strong and 



1 64 FUTURE RECOGNITION 

tender as kindred love on earth 
can possibly be — especially as all 
earthly affection is tainted more 
or less by sin. Yet we know 
that their joys in heaven are not 
for one moment interrupted by 
painful thoughts of their lost 
companions. In like manner also 
angels in heaven are acquainted 
with the situation of lost spirits 
of men — those in whom they 
were interested, over whose re- 
pentance they waited to rejoice ; 
and though they are better ac- 
quainted than we can possibly be 
with the deep woes of the second 
death, yet they weep not, nor 
grieve, over their hapless fate. 



OF FRIENDS IN HEAVEN. 165 

They contemplate the judgments 
of a righteous God, not with re- 
gret and sorrow, but with humility 
and adoring reverence. 

Though we may not feel our- 
selves able to decide correctly as 
to the way and manner in which 
this matter is adjusted, yet seeing 
that a similar relation between 
Christ, angels, and the lost, invol- 
ves no difficulty, we have satisfac- 
tory reason to rest calmly in the 
patience of faith, and not to suffer 
difficulties which we see, have 
been and can be removed, weaken 
or disturb our faith in the consol- 
ing doctrine of heavenly recogni- 
tion. 



166 FUTURE RECOGNITION 

3. The last, and perhaps by far 
the most important consideration 
we have to offer by way of an- 
swering the objection before us, 
is that in heaven there will be 
such entire sympathy between us 
and God, that our wills will fall 
in entirely and cheerfully with His 
will. In the language of another : 
" We shall have no separate de- 
sires or inclinations from Him. 
We shall see that all He does is 
wisest and best, and deserving of 
our unqualified approbation. Here 
we not unfrequently revolt against 
His appointments, because we bear 
within us the remains of a corrupt 
nature ; or because we do not 



OF FRIENDS IN HEAVEN. • 1 67 

fully comprehend His designs ; or 
because in our hearts the affection 
for God has not that superiority 
over our affection for the objects 
of earth which it ought to have. 
But in heaven, where not only the 
dominion, but even the existence 
of depravity, shall be destroyed in 
our souls — in heaven, where we 
shall so far comprehend the reason 
of God's conduct as to perceive 
that his attributes must be de- 
stroyed if he acted otherwise — in 
heaven, where love to the creature 
will justly be subordinated to love 
to the Creator, our wills shall be 
so absorbed in God's as to form 
but one with it ; and of course, 



l68 FUTURE RECOGNITION 

no murmur will escape — no pang 
rend our hearts — for any of his 
dealings with those whom we 
loved on earth." 



OF FRIENDS IN HEAVEN. 1 69 

Selections from tbe poets* 

Most Christians have sung the 
doctrine of recognition in public 
and private worship, perhaps with- 
out thought or reflection on the 
consoling truths they were singing. 
We will in conclusion copy a few 
poetical gems from those sacred 
hymns, composed by Christian 
poets ; and we feel assured that 
they will find an echo in the 
hearts of our readers : 

Home Sweet Home. 
/W\ID scenes of confusion and creature 

complaints, 
How sweet, O my soul, is communion 

with saints, 



I70 FDTURE RECOGNITION 

To find at the banquet of mercy there's 

room, 
And feel in the presence of Jesus at 

home ! 
Home, heme, sweet, sweet home ! 
Prepare me, dear Savior for glory, my 

home. 



|3 ND let our bodies part, 
To different climes repair ; 

Inseparably joined in heart 
The friends of Jesus are. 

O let our heart and mind 

Continually ascend, 
That heaven of repose to find, 

Where all our labors end. 

Where all our toils are oe'r, 

Our suffering, and our pain 



OF FRIENDS IN HEAVEN. 171 

Who meet on that eternal shore 
Shall never part again. 

Oh happy, happy place, 

Where saints and angels meet ; 

There we shall see each others' face, 
And all our brethren greet. 

— C. Wesley. 

TTHE saints on earth and those above f 
But one communion make; 

Joined to their Lord in bonds of love, 
All of his grace partake. 

One family, we dwell in him, 
One church above, beneath ; 

Though now divided by the stream, 
The narrow stream of death. 

One army of the living God, 
To his commands we bow ; 



172 FUTURE RECOGNITION 

Part of the host have crossed the flood, 
And part are crossing now. 

—Doddridge. 

♦fjCLEST hour, where virtuous friends 
shall meet, 

Their earthly sorrows o'er; 
And with celestial welcome greet, 

On an immortal shore. 

The parent finds his long lost 
child ; 

Brothers on brothers gaze ; 
The tear of resignation mild 

Is changed to joy and praise, 

Each tender tie, disolved with pain, 
With endless bliss is crowned; 

All that was dead revives again, 
All that was lost is found. 

— Houghton. 



OF FRIENDS IN HEJAVKN, 1 73 

7THERE is a place of sacred rest, 

Far, far beyond the skies, 
Where beauty smiles eternally. 

And pleasure never dies ; — 
My Father's house, my heavenly home 

Where " many mansions " stand, 
Prepared by hands divine for all 

Who seek the better land. 

In that pure home of tearles joy 

Earth's parted friends shall meet. 
With smiles of love that never fade, 

And blessedness complete ; 
There, there adieus are sounds unknown 

Death frowns not on that scene, 
But life and glorious beauty shine ; 

Untroubled and serene. 

— Trumbull. 



We copy the following beautiful 



174 FUTURE RECOGNITION 

poem from Bickersteth's Home 
Call. Bickersteth's comment on it 
is as follows : 

The poem that follows on the 
home-call of a tradesman's child, 
whom her mother fondly called 
her " little comforter/' — for she 
was the sunbeam of her sick-room 
— proved, I know, the very balm 
of Gilead to the stricken heart for 
which they were penned : — 

My Little Comforter: 

*ff MAY not guard my darling's sleep, 

Beside her bed to-night, 
Only the stars o'er her shall keep 

Their watch till dawn of light ; 
But in the land of endless day, 

The land where she is gone, 



OF FRIENDS IN HEAVEN. 1 75 

They never need nor sun nor star, 
For God is Light alone. 

The little pattering feet which made 

Such music for me here, 
I know are by the angels led 

By streams of water clear. 
I know that to my darling's hands 

A harp of gold is given, 
And that the voice now hush'd for me 

Has learnt the songs of Heaven. 

But oh, the silence in our home, 

The weary aching pain, 
The longing that we may not quell, 

To call her back again ; 
One Hand of love can dry our tears, 

One pierced Hand alone, 
One only voice can bid us say, 

" Father, Thy will be done." 



176 FUTURE RECOGNITION 

Oh no, I would not bring her back 

To this poor world below, 
I know Whose voice has call'd her 
home, 

And I will let her go. 
For many a storm of grief may rise 

To cloud our heavenward way, 
But in her home so passing fair, 

All tears are wiped away. 

And when my time of tears is o'er, 

My weary journey done, 
When in the land where crowns are 
given 

My cross I shall lay down, 
When through the golden gates of 
Heaven 

The angel songs I hear, 
My little comforter shall be 

The first to greet me there. 



OF FRIENDS IN HEAVEN. 177 

Rev. M. Rhodes. D. D., 

has published a beautiful little 
book on Recognition in Heaven 
from which* we take the following 
poetical gems : 

7ljrf1HEN the holy angels meet us, 

As we go to join their band, 
Shall we know the friends that greet us 

In that glorious spirit-land ? 
Shall we see the same eyes shining 

On us, as in days of yore ? 
Shall we feel the dear arms twining 

Fondly round us, as before ? " 



^\VER the river they beckon to me, 
Loved ones who've crossed to the 
further side, 



178 FUTURE RECOGNITION 

The gleam of their snowy robes I see, 
But their voices are lost in the 
dashing tide. 
There's one with ringlets of sunny gold, 
And eyes the reflection of Heaven's 
own blue, 
He crossed in the twilight gray and 
cold 
And the pale mist hid him from 
mortal view ; 
We saw not the angels who met him 
there, 
The gates of the city we could not 
see, 
Over the river, over the river, 

My brother stands waiting to wel- 
come me. 

Over the river the boatman pale 

Carried another, the household pet, 



OF FRIENDS IN HEAVEN. 179 

Her brown curls waved in the gentle 
gale, 
Darling Minnie ! I see her yet. 
She crossed on her bosom her dimpled 
hands, 
And fearlessly entered the phantom 
bark, 
We~felt it glide from the silver sands, 
And all our sunshine grew strangely 
dark! 
We know she is safe on the further side ; 
Where all the ransomed and angels 
be; 
Over the river, the mystic river, 

My childhood's idol is waiting for 
me. 

Not Lost, But gone before. 

This is the title of a beautiful 



l8o FUTURE RECOGNITION 

hymn by Montgomery. Dr. Har- 
baugh makes the following com- 
ment on it : 

It is not so much the logic as 
the life which gives this piece 
such strength to win our heart. 
We call it beautiful, and feel its 
influence, without asking closely in 
what its strength lies. Like a real 
friend, it bears acquaintance, and 
yields more richly in proportion as 
it is studied. Thousands have 
loved it who could not tell why — 
a real evidence of its excellence — 
because it lays hold of our life 
deeper than that part of us which 
renders a reason. 



OF FRIENDS IN HEAVEN. l8l 

*iRIEND after friend departs; 

Who hath not lost a friend ? 
There is no union here of hearts. 

That finds not here an end : 
Were this frail world our final rest, 

Living or dying none were blest. 

Beyond the flight of time, 

Beyond the reign of death, 

There surely is some blessed clime, 
Where life is not a breath ; 

Nor life's affections transient fire, 

Whose sparks fly upward and ex- 
pire. 

There is a world above, 

Where parting is unknown ; 

A long eternity of love, 

Formed for the good alone; 

And faith beholds the dying here, 

Translated to that glorious sphere. 



1 82 FUTURE RECOGNITION 

Thus star by star declines, 

Till all are passed away, 
As morning high, and higher shines, 

To pure and perfect day ; 
Nor sink those stars in empty night, 

But hide themselves in heaven's 
own light. 



A Mother's Lament. 

if LOVED thee, daughter of my heart; 

My child, I loved thee dearly; 
And though we only met to part, — 

How sweetly ! how severely ! — 
Nor life nor death can sever 
My soul from thine for ever. 

Thy days, my little one, were fevfr ; 

An angel's morning visit, 
That came and vanished with the dew, 

'Twas here, — 'tis gone — where is it? 



OF FRIENDS IN HEAVEN. 183 

Yet didst thou leave behind thee 
A clue for love to find thee. 

Sarah ! my last, my youngest love, 
The crown of every other ! 

Though thou art born in heaven above, 
I am thine only Mother ! 

Nor will affection let me 

Believe thou canst forget me. 

Then — thou in heaven and I on earth — 
May this one hope delight us, 

That thou wilt hail my second birth, 
When death shall reunite us, 

Where worlds no more can sever 

Parent and child for ever. 

— Montgomery. 



Reunion in Heaven. 

Wl HEN shall we meet again ? 
Meet ne'er to sever? 



184 FUTURE RECOGNITION 

When will peace wreathe her chain 

Round us for ever ? 
Our hearts will ne'er repose 
Safe from each blast that blows 
In this dark vale of woes — 

Never — no, Never ! . 

When shall love freely flow, 

Pure as life's river ? 
When shall sweet friendship glow, 

Changeless for ever? 
Where joys celestial thrill, 
Where bliss each heart shall fill, 
And fears of parting chill — 

Never — no, Never ! 

Up to that world of light, 

Take us dear Savior ; 
May we all there unite, 

Happy, for ever : 
Where kindred spirits dwell, 



OF FRIENDS IN HEAVEN. 1 85 

There may our music swell, 

And time our joys dispel — 

Never — no, Never ? 

Soon shall we meet again — 

Meet ne'er to sever ; 
Soon will peace wreathe her chain 

Round us for ever : 
Our hearts will then repose 
Secure from worldly woes : 
Our songs of praise shall close — 

Never — no, Never ! 



l86 FUTURE RECOGNITION 

Appendix to Page 82. 

Yet the Lord does sometimes 
grant his saints a view of heaven 
and its glories in the moment just 
before the spirit leaves the body. 
Thus, when the proto-martyr 
Stephen, was stoned to death, it 
is written of him : " But he being 
full of the Holy Ghost, looked 
steadfastly into heaven and saw 
the glory of God, and Jesus stand- 
at the right hand of God. And 
he said. " Behold, I see heaven 
opened, and the Son of God stand- 
ing at the right hand of God." 
Acts. vii. 55, 56. 

A young christian was lying on 



OF FRIENDS IN HEAVEN. 187 

his death bed, and his Mother 
watching by his side. He said to 
her, "Mother, my hands and feet 
are getting cold " After a while 
he said u Mother, I feel the cold 
coming up to my heart." Soon 
after he said, " Mother, it is get- 
ting dark, I cannot see you any 
more." After a while he said, 
" Mother, it is getting light again ; 
I see the angels and hear them 
sing." And then the angels car- 
ried his ransomed soul to glory. 

When John Arndt, the author 
of the Wahres Christenthum. 
(The True Christianity) lay on his 
deathbed he exclaimed. " We 
saw his glory, the glory, as of the 



l88 FUTURE RECOGNITION 

only begotten Son of the Father, full 
of grace and truth." His wife 
asked him, when he had seen this 
glory ? He replied, " Just now, I 
have seen it. O, what a glory is 
this ! It is the glory which no 
eye hath seen, no ear hath heard 
and hath not entered into the 
heart of man to conceive. This 
glory I have seen." Let me die 
the death of the righteous and let 
my last end be like his. 

There is a beautiful story told 
of a little child, who one day fell 
into a fire and was so badly 
burned that he died after a few 
hours of suffering. The minister 
went to see his mother v ho was 



OF FRIENDS IN HEAVEN. 189 

dotingly fond of the child. To his 
great surprise he found her not 
murmuring, but resigned. She 
told him the reason — that as she 
weeping knelt by the bedside of 
her dying child he exclaimed : 
" Mother, don't you see the beauti- 
ful man who is standing there and 
waiting for me." Again and again 
the child persisted in saying ' a 
beautiful man was waiting for him/ 
and seemed ready and anxious to 
go. Oh, there is an angel at 
every grave. Christ first con- 
quered the grave and since then 
has kept it garrisoned with his an- 
gels, so that the dying child of 
God is safe. 



INDEX. 

Dedication iii. 

Preface v. 

Karthly Friendships pasting and Enduring . 9 

PART I. 
First Proof: In our Domestic and Social Affec- 
tions 11 

PART II. 
Second Proof: The universal hope among the 

heathen 13 

PART III. 
Third Proof: Among God's people in the Old 
and New Testament. Abraham, Ishmael, 
Isaac, Jacob, Aaron, Moses, David, Saul. 
Sayings of Christ, St. Paul in 1 Thess. iv. 
13-18 16 

PART IV. 
Fourth Proof: Jesus spoke of it as an un- 
doubted reality. The Transfiguration . . 25 

Proof Texts 29 

Heaven, Its Negative and Positive Features . 30 

Heaven, Poetry . 31 

The Requisites for a Future Recognition ... 35 

1. The I ^mortality of the Soul ■ . . 38 

2. We must have known each other on 

earth .... 41 

3. We must be brought together into the 

same place 43 

4. We must remember those whom we 

knew on earth. Our memorj greatly 
strengthened at death. Persons 
drowning — an escaped lion — a united 
family in heaven 50 

5. There must be no final separation ... 58 



INDEX. 191 

6. We must be enabled to converse with 

each other. The language of heaven, 
will it be a new and universal lan- 
guage? or the gift of tongues? ... 61 

7. We shall also form new acquaintances 

among the angels, patriarchs, proph- 
ets, apostles and martyrs. The three 
surprises in heaven. The One above 
all others . 65 

8. Guardian angels. Would it be well, if 

heaven were now open to our view ? 
Paul in the third heaven. Ship sail- 
ing around the world ........ 74 

future Recognition among Theologians, 
lyuther, Melanchton, Cruciger, Olevianus, 
Scaliger, Jay, Paley, Knapp, Tillotson, 
Hall, Melvill, Calvin, Newton, Baxter, 
Chalmers, Doddridge, Zwinglius, Fenelon, 
Edwards, Schmucker, Dodd, Bunyan, 
Herbert, James, Smyth, Lavel, Stork, 
McDonald 83 

Objections to the Doctrine of Future Recog- 
nition . 131 

1. The great change after death 133 

2. If true it would be more clearly re- 

vealed .... 139 

3. The heavenly life will be much higher 

than this 143 

4. It will introduce partiality into heaven 145 

5. The love of Christ will occupy us en- 

tirely .... . • 149 

6. Christ's answer to the Sadducees . . . 154 

7. We should miss some, who will not be 

there. In death all unsanctified ties 
will be dropped. Knowledge of tte 
lost not incompatible with heavenly 
felicity. The Savior. Angels. In 
heaven there will be entire sympathy 
with God 159 



I92 INDEX. 

Selections from the Poets 169 

Home Sweet Home 169 

C. Wesley 170 

Doddridge 171 

Haughton 172 

Trumbull 173 

Little Comforter 174 

Rev. M. Rhodes 177 

Not Lost but Gone Before 179 

A Mother's Lament ... . 182 

Reunion in Heaven 183 

Appendix to Page 82 ... . ... . 186 

Heaven Opened to Dying Saints 186 

Death Bed of a Young Christian 186 

John Arndt's Vision of Christ's Glory . . . 187 
" A Beautiful Man " Waiting for a Departing 

Child 188 



PRACTICAL 

SERMONS and ADDRESSES, 

38s 2>r. B* 1b, locbman, ®. 2). 



These Sermons and Addresses were published at 
the request of many of the friends and former par- 
ishioners of the venerable author. Dr. Lochman 
was pastor of Christ Lutheran Church for nearly 
half a century. During these years he preached 
many able and impressive sermons, some of which 
made a deep impression on his hearers, and have 
done much good. 

As these sermons are highly instructive and 
practical they wll be useful to ministers as models 
of sermonizing, and especially to laymen, on 
account of the deep and fervent piety that per- 
vades them all. They may also serve a useful pur- 
pose to be read at home on Sunday by those who 
may be providentially prevented from attending 
the public preaching of the gospel. They are also 
well adapted to be read in church in lieu of a 
preached sermon in the absence of ihe pastor. 

In Dr. Lochman's Sermons we offer you a book 
that is well worthy of your careful perusal. The 
author was a highly respected father in our church, 
having spent his life and labors for half a century 
in her service ; the sermons are eminently prac- 
tical, pungent and spiritual, and will do good when 
faithfully read. 

The book contains an excellent portrait of the 
venerable Dr. L,ochman. Bound in cloth, octavo, 
360 pages. Of 1900 copies printed, a few are left 
over unsold. The original price was $1.50. But 
we will now send it post free for 50 cents. 

Address P. AnsTadT & Sons, York, Pa. 



Xutber's Smaller Catecbiam. 

SECOND REVISED EDITION. 

Explained, analyzed, illustrated with appropriate 
anecdotes, proverbs and examples, drawn from 
Scripture, history, biography, nature, and remarks 
of distinguished persons, by P. Anstadt, D. D., 
editor Teachers'' Journal ^ Christian's Guide, author 
of Bible Wine, Communion Addresses, Christian 
Catechism, etc., etc. 308 pages octavo. Price post 
paid $1.25. 

Rev. Treibly says, I have examined your Illus- 
trated Catechism, and have come to the conclusion 
that it is a most capital thing. I hope you may 
dispose of a great many copies, for I think it will 
be a great help to preachers or any one else. 

Dr. P. Born, Professor of Theology, Selinsgrove, 
Pa., kindly read some of the proof sheets and 
writes as follows : 

( ' I am pleased with your method, especially in 
regard to the analysis of the several articles. It 
simplifies and aids in impressing and remembering 
the several points given under the respective 
heads. Yoar illustrations and anecdotes are perti- 
nent and certainly add. interest and value to the 
work. They give to abstract truths vividness and 
living forms. I hope the work will have an exten- 
sive circulation, for I think it is well calculated to 
do good. ' ' 

A young minister in Pennsylvania writes, "I 
value the Illustrated Catechism a hundred times 
more than its -price. The book looks interesting 
throughout, and I am eager to make a thorough 
examination of it, and then prepare a series of ser- 
mons based on the contents, with a free use of your 
illustrations. The volume ought to sell especially 
with young ministers." 

Ministers or laymen who wish to have the work 
should send $[.25 and receive the book post free 
by return mail. 

Address P. Anstadt & Sons, York, Pa. 



Luther's Smaller Catechism. 

PICTORIAL EDITION. 

With Explanations and Proof Texts. Designed 
for Families and Sunday-schools. An introduc- 
tion to the Illustrated Catechism. Illustrated with 
20 beautiful, full page, half-tone Scriptural Pic- 
tures. By Rev. P. Anstadt, D. D., 132 pages 
octavo. Price, 25 cents, single copy, $2.40 per 
dozen. 

This is the most elegantly gotten up edition of 
Luther's Smaller Catechism ever published in the 
English language. It is printed in large, clear 
type and fine book paper, and the fine pictures 
make it attractive to the eyes of the young. The 
explanations are plain and adapted to the under- 
standing of the young and unlearned. There are 
also attached Family Prayers, Morning and Even- 
ing for a whole week, Children's Morning and 
Evening Prayers, Grace at the Table, and Morning 
and Evening Hymns. 

It will be a very appropriate birthday or Christ- 
mas gift from parents to their children. Address 
P. ANSTADT & SONS, York, Pa. 



©race BlUSufficient 

A Sermon by Rev. E. Greenwald, D. D., Lan- 
caster, Pa. , on the text, ' ' My grace is sufficient for 
thee." Ten pages, 10 cents. 

Address P. AnstadT & Sons, York, Pa. 



THE SEVEN CALUMNIES. 

A controversy between Rev. P. Anstadt, D. D., 
and Father Thos. McGovern, (Roman Catholic 
Bishop), on Transubstantiation, Purgatory, Salva 
tion by Works, Infallibility of the Pope, Political 
Intrigues, Papal Bulls and Bible Burning. Second 
revised edition. Price 10 cents. 

Address RKv. P. Anstadt & Sons, York, Pa. 



A Christian Catechism, 

designed for the use of 

Families, Sunday Schools, Theological 
Students and Pastors. 



By Rev. P. Anstadt, D. D. 



152 Pages, with Pictorial Illustrations", Family 
Prayers for Morning and Evening, and ap- 
propriate Morning and Evening Hymns. 



This Catechism is somewhat different in its con- 
struction from the usual form, being based on a 
regular course of Theology. 

PRICES: 

Bound in Boards 25 cts. 

" " Limp Cloth 30 cts. 

Full Binding in Cloth 35 cts. 

Send the amount for either of the above styles 
and the book will be sent by return mail. 

Address, 

P. ANSTADT & SONS, 



York, Pa. 



WHAT THEY SAY OF THE 
CHRISTIAN CATECHISM. 

I have given the Catechism a careful examina- 
tion. I am very much pleased with its evangelical 
quality and its simplicity. It is admirably adapted 
to the needs of the average catechumen. 

REV. J. W. RICHARD, D. D., 
Prof. Homiletics in Theological Seminary, 

'Gettysburg, Pa. 



This Catechism is distinguished from others by 
the fine quality of its paper, clear type, elegant 
\ in ding, pictorial illustrations and logical arrange- 
ment. It will be found suggestive and useful. 
Write for sample copies. 

REV. S. P. HALLMAN, A. M., 

in Gospel Echoes, Agusta, Ga. 



The Best Yet. — It has been our privilege to 
examine quite a number of catechisms, published 
by different houses and denominations, but if a 
young minister or an old one who hss not had the 
advantages of a theological education, desires to 
obtain a catechism that will give him the cream of 
theological aud Bible information, he need only 
get a copy of Dr. P. Anstadt's Christian Catechism, 
which is mainly designed for ycung people of ad- 
vanced age and young students. It is the best of 
the kind we have ever seen. Send 25 cents in pos- 
tage stamps to P. Anstadt & Sons, York, Pa., and 
you will receive a copy by return mail. 

REV. G. W. CLINTON, 
in Pittsburg Theological Church Quarterly. 



Communion Wine. 



Or the un fermented juice of the grape the most 
appropriate kind of wine for the Lord's Supper. 
By Rev. P. Anstadt, D D., York, Pa , pp. 79. 
Price 25 cents. 

This is the title of a neatly printed book on a 
subject that has lately excited a deep interest 
among Christian temperance people. Many of 
them are at a loss to see how the duty of total 
abstinence can be taught from the example of 
Christ on the basis of the so-called "one wine" 
theory, which insists that Christ made, and drank, 
intoxicating wine, and used it in the institution of 
the Holy Supper. The author has given an 
extended discussion of the subject of Bible Wines. 

We append a few extracts from. letters received. 
"I take his method of thanking you for this 
timely and very able production. If I had not 
previously entertained similar views, I do not see 
how I could help becoming a convert. I hope and 
believe it will have this effect upon others. " 

" I can not help expressing to you my gratitude 
and appreciation of your article on Communion 
Wine. It is the best and most conclusive I have 
ever read. I have for years abhorred the in 4 oxi- 
cating cup commonly used on communion occa- 
sions, and yet could not see my way out of it." 

"My first and strong impulse is to thank you 
with all my heart for a discussion so scholarly, so 
fair and temperate, and so conclusive, of a ques- 
tion so vital. >J 

Bverv pastor, every Christian family, should 
have a copy. Sent free by mail for 25 cents. 

Address P. Anstadt & Sons, York, Pa. 



Short Communion Addresses. 



By Rev P. Anstadt, D. D., Editor of the Teach- 
ers' Journal, Scholar's Quarterly, Christian's 
Guide, Communion Wine, Justification by Faith, 
Christian Catechism, etc., etc. ioo pages with 
frontispiece, York, Pa. Price 25 cents. 



They are composed of tie most solemn and im- 
pressive matter, and may ba of eminent service in 
suggesting valuable thoughts to n inisters for such 
occasions. The matter supplies a vacancy in our 
literature — Prof. J. R. Dimm in Missionary In- 
stitute Journal. 



Communion Addresses is the title of a small 
volume of a h indred pages by Rev. P. Anstadt, 
D. D.. containing several addresses delivered on 
communion seasons by the author. They are rich 
in thought, and will suggest to pastors many fitting 
words to be addressed to those who gather at the 
table of the Lord ? We think it would be well for 
the members of our churches lo ponder the words 
of this book before coming: to the Lords table? 
Published bv the author at York, Pa. Price 25 
cents.— Messiah's Herald. 



A young minister writes: Communion Addresses 
received I am delighted with the litle book ; it 
supplies me with the needed suggestions. I shall 
now begin to make short talks. If I had seen an 
adver isement of such a book, I would have sent 
for it immediately. 



Recognition in Heaven. 



The Future Recognition of Friends in Heaven. 
By Professor Henry Ziegler, D. D., together with 
the Requisites to Recognition, by Rev. P. Anstadt, 
D. D., also extracts from the writings of Harbaugh, 
Schmucher, Stork, Luther, Melancthon, Knapp, 
Calvin, Tillotson, Doddridge, Baxter, Melville and 
others, together with extracts from the Poets. 
200 pages, Anstadt & Sons, Publishers, York, Pa. 
Price 50 cents. 

This is an elegantly gotten up book, neatly 
bound and printed in clear, large type, on fine 
book paper. An elegant half tone engraving of he 
Ascension of Christ, serves as a fronticepiece, with 
the inscription: "I go to prepare a place for you. 
I will come again and receive you to myself ; that 
where I am, ye may be also." John xiv. 2, 3. 

The reading of this book will be a source of con 
solation to many bereaved souls, whose fr ends 
have indeed not been lost by passing through the 
valley of the shadow of death, but have only gone 
before, to welcome their loved ones to that happy 
home, where God shall wipe all tears from their 
eyes. 

We advise all who wish to study the proofs from 
Scripture and reason, that we shall know each 
other in Heaven, and who wsh to lead the views 
of the most distinguished Christian writers on this 
subject, to procure a copy of this book. Send fifty 
cents in postage stamps or silver, and receive a 
copy free by mail ; or send a dollar note, check on 
bank, or P. O. M. Order for two or more copies, to 
give as a present to some of your bereaved friends. 

Address 

P. Anstadt & Sons, York, Pa. 



A HELP TO 

Family Worship. 



Or Short Forms of Morning and Evening Prayers, 
for Five Weeks. With Prayers for Special occa- 
sions, Children's Morning and Evening Prayers, 
Grace at Table, and Morning and Evening Hymns, 
Compiled by Rev. P. Anstadt, D. D. P. Anstadt 
& Sons, Publishers, 300 pages octavo. Price $r.oo. 
These she rt forms are intended to be a help in 
conducts g Family Worship. They are not de- 
signed to interfere with the free utterance of 
prayer by heads of families in their own words. 
But it is well known, that many pious Christians 
are not well qualified to lead in public worship. 
Some are diffident, or have not had the proper 
mental training, and have not command of ap ro- 
piiate words to edify in social prayer. It is to such 
mainly tb at this book is to be a help. 

Let each person ask in silence beforehand for a 
collected frame of mind, and for the spirit of 
pra' er, " Lord' teach us to pray." Let this be the 
desire and prayer of each in kneeling before God. 
Nor let it ever be forgotten, that we have a great 
High Priest, through whom alone we have access 
to God, and that is the Spirit who helpeth our in- 
firmities. 

In addition to the forms of prayers for morning 
and evening worship, the book also contains pray- 
ers for extraordinary occasions. Paraphrases of 
the Lord's Prayer, and Dissertations on Prayer by 
Matthew Henry and others. - Send $1.00 and re- 
ceive a copy of Help to Family Worship. 

Address 

p. Bnstaot & Sons, l^orfc, pa. 



THE TEACHER'S GLASS BOOK 

FOR SUNDAY-SCHOOLS. 

This book is almost self-explanatory. To each 
quarter of the year there is a column for the names 
of teacher anrt scholars, followed by thirteen col- 
umrs, one for the record of each Sunday of the 
quarter. In each column the attendances of every 
scholar may be marked with a cross (x), followed 
by the amount of his contribution and the number 
of Scripture verses recited by him. The total at- 
tendance, offering and number of verges learned 
each Sunday should be summed up at the foot of 
each colimn. 

The quarterly report mav be made by adding 
the figures from ltft to right for each scholar's at 
tendance, offerings and verses, and placing the 
results in the correspon ; ing columns of the quar- 
terly report. Transfer these figures to the quar- 
terly columns in back of book and add the results 
in the same way for the annual repoit. 

The offering for each Sunday should be placed 
in the envelope which forms the back cover of the 
book, and the total amount for each Sunday 
marked in the proper space on the envelope for the 
convenience of the Sunday school treasurer. 

P. Anstadt & Sons, Publishers, York, Pa. 
Price 15 cents for single copy, $1.20 per dozen sent 
free by mail. 



(Sbriet tbe flDofcel preacber. 

A. Baccalaureate Address delivered before the 
Graduating Class of the Missionary institute, 
Selinsgrove, Pa., June 24, 1880. By Rev. P. Ans- 
tadt. 12 pages. Price 10 cents. York Pa. 



THE MODERN DANCE. 

Discussed by two distinguished divines — "A 
time to dance." — Third edition. 16 pages, price 
10 cents, or $i.coado*en. P. Anstadt & Sons, 
Publishers, York, Pa. 

This Discussion on Dancing has had a rapid 
sale. The first and second editions are entirely 
exhausted. As there are still calls for it, we now 
publish the third edition. To this we add an essay 
by Rev. C. P. Pentecost, D. D. 

Balls, or dances are frequently an annoyance to 
Christian parents and ministers. A French danc- 
ing-mas: er comes to town and opens a dancing- 
school. Some of the "First Families" in town, 
occasionally als) church members, send their 
child en to acquire this " graceful accomplish- 
ment," to " learn good manners." and "get into 
genteel society." At the end of the quarter's 
teaching there is a grand ball to wind up with. 
Many church members would like to know " what 
harm there can be in this innocent amusement," 
and " why Christian people cannot be allowed to 
attend a respeciable ball ? " 

These discussions, we think, will answer this 
question satisfactorily to every one who honestly 
desires to know what God's word teaches on this 
subject. 

Send 10 cents and receive by return mail one 
copy, or $1.00 for 12 copies. 

Address P. ANSTADT & SONS, York, Pa. 



The Bible Mode of Baptism. 

This is the title of a closely printed, four page 
tract, containing the strongest arguments which 
can be produced that sprinkling is the Scripture 
Mode of Baptism. 

For sale at the office of P. Anstadt & Sons. 
Price: 100 copies, $3.00; 50 copies, $1.75; 25. 
copies, $1.00; s ngle copy, 5 cents. 



UNFERMENTED WINE 

FOR SACRAMENTAL AND MEDICINAL PURPOSES. 

Many inquiries have been made by ministers and 
church officers, as to where they can procure the 
best unfermented wine for communion purposes. 
There are wine growers in different parts of ihe 
country who make it a business to prepare this 
kind of wine. 

The following items are taken from the circular 
of one of the oldest and most reliable establish- 
ments : 

Beautiful Grape color —free from sediment. 

It is so very rich in the properties of the grape 
that it can be diluted about one-third, if desired. 

It is so carefully prepared and so thoroughly 
clarified that there need be no fear of fermentation. 
Kven after being opened it will keep for a long 
time in an ordinary cellar. 

This Unfermented Wine is the pure juice of the 
grape. 

This grape juice is from a very fine quality of 
Concord grapes, is carefully freed from all sedi- 
ment and is kept entirely in vessels of porcelain 
and glass; it retains the delicate aroma, delicious 
flavor and life properties of the grape. 

Why should Christian churches use the Wine of 
Commerce, mcst of which is adulterated with 
poisonous drugs, and often does not contain a drop 
of the fruit of the vine. We have been requested 
by one of the wine growers in Vineland, N. J., to 
act as agent for them in supplying churches with 
their Unfermented Wine. We are therefore pre- 
pared to supply it in any quantities desired. Sam- 
ples can be seen at our office at any time. Wher- 
ever it has been used it has given perfect satisfac- 
tion, and the congregations that have used it once, 
never want to use any other kind. 

prices: 
12 Full Quarts, . $10.00 I 12 Full Pints, . . $5.00 
12 Full i l / 2 Pints, 7.50 I 12 Half Pints, . 2.75 

P. Anstadt & Sons, York, Pa. 



•flnternaticmal Xesson System. 

Its alleged Defects and Excellencies. By P. 
Anstadt, D. D., Editor of Teachers' Journal, 
Christian's Guide, Author of Christian Catechism, 
Justification by Faith, Christ the Model Preacher, 
etc., et?. Printed in pamphlet form. Published 
by request of York County S. S. Convention. 
Price 10 cents. P. Anstadt & Sons, York, Pa. 

This add -ess gives a brief history of the Primitive 
Sunday-school, fifty years ago ; the use of the 
Question books in the Sunday-school, thirty years 
ago, and then discusses the International Lesson 
System. The alleged objections are stated and 
answered. 

Mr. William Reynolds, of Peoria, 111., who has 
traveled over every State of the Union in the inter- 
est of Sunday-schools, says, "This is the best ad- 
dress on the International Lesson Series that I 
have ever heard." He took one hundred copies 
himself. 

Send ten cents to P. Anstadt & Sons, York, Pa., 
and secure a copy by return mail, or twelve copies 
for one dollar. 



The Bible Catechism. 

For young people, being an introduction to the 
Christian Catechism. Prepared and edited by P. 
Anstadt, D D. Illustrated with Scriptural Pic- 
tures. 32 pages, price 10 cents 

It contains thirteen pictures, illustrative of some 
of the most important events of Bible history in the 
Old and New Testament, which will make it at- 
tractive and instructive to young people. It will 
therefore be a very appropriate present from par- 
ents to their children 

Send 10 cents and receive a copy by return mail, 
or one dozen for $1.00. 

Address P. Anstadt & Sons, York, Pa. 



Christian 

Enbeavor 

Supplies, 

We have bren requested to act as agent for the 
Christian Endeavor supplies, including everything 
needed in conducting a C. B. Society, which will 
be sent on receipt of price, such as 
Music Books, music and words, 35 

Sample copies by mail, ....... 40 

Words only, in quantities, by express, . 12 
" " by mail, . . *5 

Secretary's Membership Record and Minute 

Book, revised, 1 50 

Secretary's Roll Call Book, ... 35 

Systematic Record Book of Committees, . . 50 

(in lots of 5, 3s cents each. ) 
Treasurer's Book, with supplement for 

monthly offering account, 50 

Handy Record Book, for Lookout and Pray- 

ermeeting Committees, in sets of 5, 8 cents 

each, . . . . . . .10 

Record Lists, for Lookout and prayermeeting 

Committees, in lots of 5, 2 cents each, . 05 
Active members' Chapel Wall Pledge, 36x54, 

printed on linen, ready to hang on wall, 1 75 
Active Members' Chapel Wall Pledge, printed 

on heavy paper, 28x36, ready to hang on 

wall, 75 

Topic Cards, for one year, per 100, 1 00 

Daily Readings, for one year, per 100, ... 1 50 
C. E. CARDS. 

Application Blanks, per 100, . 50 

Active Members' Pledge, per 100, . . 50 

" " " gilt, bevel edge, 

per 100, 1 00 



3 cts. In 
lot of 5, 2 



Associate Members' Pledge, gilt, bevel edge, 

per ioo, i oo 

Associate Members' Pledge, plain, per ioo, . 50 
Lookout Committee Cards, per 100, .... 75 
Flower 4 ' ' ' gilt, bevel edge, 

per 100, . . . 75 

Prayermeeting Committee Cards, per 100, . . 75 

Invitation Cards, per 100, 75 

Absentee " " " 50 

Monthly Offering Cards, per 100, 50 

Suggestions for Lookout Committee, " 
'* " Pi ayermeeting " 

" Social 
" " Missionary " I cts. each. 

" Sunday-school " J 

Temperance Committee Pledge Cards, per 100, 50 

Book, with 

room for 100 names, 03 

Active Members' Pledge, 10x12, plain, ... 10 

gilt, bevel 

edge card, 25 

Constitutions 02 

fl\ Bnsta&t & Qons, JPorft, pa. 

SUNDAY SCHOOL TICKETS. 

Blue and Red, with Scripture verses. We have 
printed a large supply of these tickets. Price per 
sheet of 154 tickets, 12 cents. 

P. Anstadt & Sons, York, Pa. 

TTJBTTm-T'lX'O- FAITH. 
Its Nature and Effects. An Essay read at the 
York County Sunday School Conference, held at 
Jefferson, Pa., 1884. By Rev. P. Anstadt, D. D. 
22 pages. Price 10 cents. 

After the reading there was an interesting dis- 
cussion, a hearty approval of the Essay by the 
members of the Conference, and a request for its 
publication. 

Send 10 cents and receive a copy by mail. 

Address, P. Anstadt & Sons, York, Pa. 



popular %esson 1E>elps 

— AND— 

SUNDAY=SCHOOL 

PERIODICALS. 



-••- 



THE TEACHERS' JOURNAL. Issued monthly, 
with 32 pages of copious explanatory notes on the 
International Lessons. Price 56 cts. a year. 

LESSON QUARTERLY, for advanced schol= 
ars. Issued quarterly — 32 pages, bound in cover. 
Price 12 cents a year. 

INTERMEDIATE LEAF. A separate leaf for 
every Sunday. Price 8 cents per year. 

PRIMARY LEAF. Is published monthly, 4 
pages — price 6 cents a year. 

OUR LITTLE FOLKS. A weekly lesson paper 
for the smaller children. 4 pages. Illustrated. 
Price 12 cents a year. 

CHRISTIAN'S GUIDE. Issued monthly. This 
is an 8-page, illustrated paper, designed for young 
and old. Price for single copy 25 cents a year ; for 
clubs of fi\e or more to one address at the rate of 
15 cents a year. Special attention is given to 
Christian Endeavor S jcieties. The paper contains 
one column of Explanatory Notes for every Sun- 
day in the year. Samples sent free. Send all 
orders to 

1Re\>. p. Hnstaot & Sons, 

YORK, PA. 



liffi.™ 0F CONGRESS 



021 226 171 3 




